Marcos tells Cabinet to resign, seeking reset after poor showing in midterms: What it means

Manila: In an unprecedented move, Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has requested all members of his Cabinet to submit their courtesy resignations in response to his party’s poor showing in the recent midterm elections.

The reshuffle comes as the Philippines grapples with the global trade war, and investors looking to cash in on the country's peace dividend, as well as energy and infrastructure build-up.

The presidential palace said on Thursday that government projects already approved or underway will continue.

What does this mean?

A courtesy resignation is a formal gesture where officials offer to step down from their posts, allowing the president to reorganise or reshuffle his team without the need to directly fire anyone.

It signals accountability and gives the president flexibility to assess who stays, who goes, and how to tweak the direction following political setbacks.

In a way, it creates a single "pain point", and makes a reshuffle more efficient. It's also sends a bold message public officials, whose salaries are directly paid by Filipino taxpayers: "Shape up, or ship out."

Latest list of cabinet members who have submitted their courtesy resignations as of Thursday, May 22, 2025

1. Vince Dizon - Department of Transportation (DOTr) 

2. Rex Gatchalian - Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 

3. Jonvic Remulla - Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)

4. Romando Artes - Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman 

5. Christina Frasco - Department of Tourism (DoT) 

6. Amenah Pangandaman - Department of Budget and Management (BM)

7.  Ralph Recto - Department of Finance (DOF)

8. Menardo Guevarra - Solicitor General

9. Hans Leo Cacdac - Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)

10.  Henry Aguda - Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)

11.  Jesus Crispin Remulla - Department of Justice (DOJ)

12. Jay Ruiz - Presidential Commmunications Office (PCO)

13. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. - Department of Agriculture (DA)

14. Bienvenido Laguesma - Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

15. Jose Benitez - TESDA Director General 

16. Lucas Bersamin - Executive Secretary

17. Arsenio Balisacan - The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) 

18. Frederick Go - Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs

19. Conrado Estrella III - Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)

20. Raphael Lotilla - Department of Energy (DOE)

21. Sonny Angara - Department of Education

22. Yulo Loyzaga - Department Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

23. Gibo Teodoro - Department of National Defense (DND)

24. Renato Solidum - Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

25. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque. - Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

26. Eduardo Año - National Security Adviser

27. Enrique Manalo - Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

28. Dante Ang - Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO)

29. Ernesto Perez - Anti RedTape Authority (ARTA)

Source: Radio Mindanao Network/Philippine Daily Inquirer

In announcing his entire Cabinet to quit, he also unveild a bid to “recalibrate” his administration to better meet the expections of Filipinos.

Realignment

“It’s time to realign government with the people’s expectations,” Marcos said in a statement released by his communications office on Thursday. “The people have spoken, and they expect results — not politics, not excuses. We hear them, and we will act.”

Will the president reappoint some?

Yes, it is widely expected that the president may reappoint some Cabinet secretaries after their so-called courtesy resignations.

Philippine growth missed estimates in the first quarter, but the economy has still been expanding at faster than 5% pace, with the currency up 4% against the dollar this year.

Expert's take

“If it actually materialises that the entire cabinet resigns, it will be too disruptive from an economic standpoint,” said Euben Paracuelles, Chief Asean Economist at Nomura Holdings Inc.

“I think reform prospects were already dimming but other urgent matters such as trade talks with the US and implementation of counter-cyclical policies could be affected.”

Recto and the economic planning agency didn’t immediately respond to requests for comments, as per Bloomberg.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he will submit his resignation later Thursday, the Inquirer reported. Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda said he stands by Marcos.

Manila’s key stock index was down 1% and the peso was little changed against the greenback at 9:45 a.m. local time.

The president’s action echoes a similar move by former President Gloria Arroyo. In both 2005 and 2009, facing calls to step down, Arroyo asked her cabinet officials to resign.

Decisive action needed

Marcos is “fully aware of the people’s sentiments and is willing to take drastic actions to make his commitment to the people even clearer,” said Ederson Tapia, professor of public administration at the University of Makati.

“He does need to take decisive action, especially since some have already alluded to him being a ‘lame duck’ president.”

The resignation request gives “elbow room to evaluate the performance of each department and determine who will continue to serve in line with his administration’s recalibrated priorities,” the president’s statement said.

Setback

May 12’s midterm elections represented a setback for Marcos and improved the prospects of his impeached political rival Vice President Sara Duterte. Duterte-backed candidates won at least four of the 12 Senate seats up for grabs in the election. 

A fifth candidate, who was part of Marcos’ slate, but who also sought Duterte’s backing, also won. Two liberal politicians who were not part of Marcos’ slate also had unexpected victories.

The senators will all be jurors when the 24-member chamber begins Duterte’s impeachment trial that’s expected to start in July. The Senate would need a two-thirds vote to convict Duterte, which may be tougher given her allies’ victories in the Senate and in other regional elections. 

Earlier this week, Marcos said he’s willing to reconcile with the family of Duterte, stressing he wants stability “so that we can do our jobs.”

“With this bold reset, the Marcos administration signals a new phase — sharper, faster, and fully focused on the people’s most pressing needs,” the statement from Marcos’ office said Thursday.