President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accepted the courtesy resignations of two high-ranking government officials as part of his administration’s ongoing effort to enhance government performance and accountability, Malacañang announced yesterday.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the top-level revamp’s second tranche sees the exit of Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Prospero “Popoy” De Vera III.
“This process is part of a rigorous and ongoing evaluation of government performance, not only at the Cabinet level but across the entire bureaucracy,” he said in a Palace briefing.
“The President has been clear from the beginning, we are not just looking at the top levels, we are going deeper into the agencies, into the systems, and into the quality of public service being delivered on the ground,” the Executive Secretary added.
“This effort is the President’s commitment to a government that works fast, delivers results, and meets the expectations of the Filipino people,” he added.
Replacing Guevarra as Solicitor General is University of the Philippines College of Law Dean Darlene Berberabe.
She took her oath before the President on Thursday morning.
Berberabe graduated summa cum laude with a Philosophy degree from UP and was class salutatorian of the UP College of Law in 1999.
Her previous roles include general counsel at Procter & Gamble and CEO of the Pag-IBIG Fund.
She is widely recognized for her leadership, integrity, and governance reforms during her time in public service.
Meanwhile, Jose Ramon Aliling also took his oath as secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), replacing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who was appointed presidential adviser for Pasig River development. Aliling previously served as a DHSUD undersecretary.
CHED Commissioner Shirley Agrupis was appointed as the new CHED Chair, replacing De Vera.
Mr. Marcos declined the courtesy resignations submitted by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and Defense Chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
“Yes, that’s definitely declined,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said, noting that the three secretaries continue to enjoy the President’s trust.
Teodoro also released a statement following the Palace’s announcement, reaffirming his commitment to his role.
“Our mission at the Department of National Defense continues. I thank the President for his continued trust and confidence as we pursue his vision of strengthening the nation’s defense, protecting the patrimony of our archipelagic nation, and promoting regional peace and stability,” Teodoro said.
As for National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Bersamin said the status of his resignation remains unclear, as it was submitted directly to the President and not coursed through the Office of the Executive Secretary.
“That is a personal matter for the President. If he doesn’t want to accept it, it’s up to him,” he said.
As this developed, Bersamin also disclosed that the President has instructed the heads of Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) to submit their courtesy resignations.
However, he sought to allay concerns over possible disruptions in government services following the wave of courtesy resignations from officials of GOCCs, saying operations will remain stable.
“All these people who offered their courtesy resignations are expected to continue performing their functions, discharging their duties until their replacements have been appointed. And that is expected of all public servants, no one abandons because that is part of the obligation of a public servant,” he added.
“Each resignation accepted is based on a careful assessment of whether the standards set by the President for efficiency and leadership have been met. Some have delivered, others have not,” Bersamin explained.
