ALL presidential appointees within agencies, offices, and bureaus under the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) have been directed to submit courtesy resignations, according to a memo issued by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. The memo, addressed to newly appointed PCO Secretary Jay Ruiz, stipulates that the resignations should be “unqualified,” granting Ruiz “a free hand in performing his duties and functions.”
The directive encompasses all presidential appointees whose positions are not permanent, as well as those serving in acting or holdover capacities within government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) attached to the PCO. Secretary Ruiz is tasked with ensuring all affected personnel are notified and monitoring compliance.
This move follows a recent cabinet shakeup within the Department of Transportation (DOTr), where five undersecretaries, two assistant secretaries, and one acting official were replaced earlier this week. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon requested courtesy resignations before swearing in the new senior executives. The newly appointed DOTr officials include:
- Undersecretaries: Giovanni Lopez (Administration, Finance, and Procurement), Mark Steven Pastor (Road Transport and Infrastructure), Jim Sydiongco (Aviation and Airports), Teodorico Jose Delfin (Planning and Project Development), and Ramon Reyes (Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure – a newly created position).
- Assistant Secretaries: Dioscoro Reyes (Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure), and Villamor Ventura Plan (Maritime).
- CAAP: Raul Del Rosario (Acting Director General and Acting Board Member).
Undersecretaries Timothy Batan (Railways) and Jonathan Ronulo (Legal Affairs) retained their positions.
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro previously stated that the President is still evaluating Cabinet member performance, and further replacements haven’t been decided. The PCO resignations suggest a broader review of presidential appointees is underway.
