Following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call for the courtesy resignation of all Cabinet secretaries to “realign government,” various agency heads have responded with compliance within the day, May 22.

In a news release via the Presidential Communications Office, Marcos expressed his plans to strengthen the administration’s performance following the results of the 2025 midterm polls. 

“This is not business as usual. The people have spoken, and they expect results—not politics, not excuses. We hear them, and we will act,” he said.

“This is not about personalities—it’s about performance, alignment, and urgency. 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,” he added.

Various secretaries file courtesy resignation

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara has rendered his courtesy submission “effective immediately” in line with the president’s directive.

“It has been the greatest honor of my public life to serve the Filipino people as Education Secretary. … The vital work of the Department must continue with no roadblocks,” he stated via DepEd’s Facebook page.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin has also officially submitted his resignation following Marcos’ call.

“It has been an honor to be a member of your Cabinet, Mr. President. I will continue to serve the Filipino people alongside you towards a Bagong Pilipinas,” he noted in his letter addressed to the president.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has likewise filed his courtesy resignation in support of the president’s decision and vision of a “united and responsive administration.”

“Whatever the outcome, I remain fully committed to the goals of your administration and to the service of the Filipino people,” he stated in his letter.

Gilberto Teodoro Jr., secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) has also formalized his resignation this morning.

“He assures the public that the [DND] and its bureaus, especially the Armed Forces of the Philippines, will continue to fulfill its mandate of upholding our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the DND stated via Facebook.

Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto also confirmed that he has rendered his resignation without delay or reservation, stating that the president’s decision comes from a desire to “put people and country first.”

Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Vince Dizon, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo, Department of Agriculture (DOA) Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla and Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director General Atty. Ernesto Perez have likewise tendered their courtesy resignations to the president.

Other cabinet heads have also expressed their intention to file their resignation “at the pleasure of the president,” including:

• Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado Estrella III
• Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Amenah Pangandaman
• Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga
• Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda
• Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla
• Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma
• Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac
• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian
• Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco
• Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes
• National Security Adviser Eduardo Año
• Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Interim Secretary Jaybee Ruiz
• Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra
• Special Assistant to the President for Investment & Economic Affairs Frederick Go
• Technical Education And Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Kiko Ben

Meanwhile, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Maria Cristina Roque and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa along with other agency heads and presidential advisers are yet to give their statements regarding the call.