• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) said May 22 that it fully supports the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “to evaluate the performance of Cabinet secretaries through a call for courtesy resignations.”
The LCP, in a statement signed by Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez as League national chairman, and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte as acting national president, said that “this call is a reaffirmation of the President’s resolve to align his leadership team with the highest standards of excellence, integrity, and results-oriented governance.”
It sends a strong message that public service must always be rooted in trust, performance, and the greater good, the statement added.
Marcos yesterday directed all Cabinet secretaries to submit a courtesy resignation to “recalibrate his administration”, after the results of the May 12 midterm elections.
“This is not business as usual,” the President said as per the Presidential Communications Office. “The people have spoken, and they expect results—not politics, not excuses. It’s time to realign government with the people’s expectations. We hear them, and we will act.”
The LCP said the results of last week’s midterm elections “reflect the people’s growing demand for faster, more transparent, and more effective public service.
“This call is a reaffirmation of the President’s resolve to align his leadership team with the highest standards of excellence, integrity, and results-oriented governance. It sends a strong message that public service must always be rooted in trust, performance, and the greater good.”
The PCO said the request for courtesy resignations is aimed at giving Marcos “the elbow room to evaluate the performance of each department and determine who will continue to serve in line with his administration’s recalibrated priorities.”
“This is not about personalities—it’s about performance, alignment, and urgency,” Marcos stressed. “Those who have delivered and continue to deliver will be recognized. But we cannot afford to be complacent. The time for comfort zones is over.”
Among those who have heeded the call for courtesy resignation were Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon;
Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla, Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, OWWA Administrator PY Cunanan, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., and PCO Secretary Jay Ruiz, among others.
Malacañang has assured the public of “unhampered government services during the transition.”
PCO undersecretary Claire Castro said in a PNA report that the directive, meant to recalibrate the administration’s priorities, will not halt or cause delays in government operations. “The President made it clear that pending and existing projects will not be affected during the transition. Cabinet secretaries and government personnel will continue their work. Cabinet members remain in their posts unless the President formally accepts their resignations, ensuring continuity in leadership and operations.” | CGC
