Philippines' Marcos retains defence, justice and interior secretaries

29/5/2025 16:33

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has retained his defence, justice and interior secretaries but replaced the Solicitor General, his office said, after asking for all his cabinet to resign as he tries to reinvigorate his government.



Last week's sweeping call for the "courtesy resignations", which was extended on Thursday to include the heads of companies owned or controlled by the government, followed a disappointing performance in the May 12 midterm elections.



"This is not a purge," Lucas Bersamin, Executive Secretary to Marcos, told a press briefing on Thursday, saying it was a drive by the president to improve the quality of public service.



"The president has no patience for underperformance."



He said Marcos had declined the requested resignations of Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.



Bersamin confirmed Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra's earlier announcement that he had been replaced by Darlene Berberabe, Dean of the College of Law of the University of the Philippines.