Makati City Mayor-elect Nancy Binay has requested city department heads to submit their courtesy resignations, drawing a parallel to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent Cabinet overhaul.
However, City Administrator Claro Certeza clarified that Binay—who is the sister of outgoing Mayor Abigail Binay—cannot legally compel department heads to resign when she assumes office in July, as doing so would violate the Civil Service Code.
“We respect the incoming Mayor’s prerogative to request the courtesy resignations of the city’s department heads,” Certeza said. “However, we would like to remind the incoming Mayor that these positions are considered permanent under the Civil Service Code. They are not like Cabinet members, who are political appointees of the President. They are career officials, and unlike the President, a mayor does not have the authority to order their resignation.”
Certeza added that his position as City Administrator is co-terminus with the current administration, so there is no need for him to tender a courtesy resignation, as his term ends on June 30. “The same applies to other co-terminus and casual employees of City Hall,” he said.
He emphasized that the appointments of department heads have been reviewed and approved by the Civil Service Commission based on legal and merit-based criteria. “Most of our department heads have served in the city government for decades, with some dating back to the administration of former Mayor and Vice President Jejomar Binay,” he noted. “They rose through the ranks based on merit, professionalism, and performance. Their permanent appointments were also ratified by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, as required by the City Charter.”
Certeza also noted that several individuals have already been floated as possible replacements for tenured department heads and other key city officials.
“As expected, this situation has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty at City Hall,” he said. “Addressing these concerns with the incoming Mayor’s transition team is essential to ensure the continued delivery of public services.”
