MANILA, Philippines– President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has accepted the courtesy resignations of three government officials as part of his administration’s ongoing performance review.
The officials are Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs Mark Llandro Mendoza, Presidential Adviser on Military and Police Affairs Roman Felix, and PNOC Renewables Corp. President and CEO John Arenas.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Malacañang press officer Claire Castro confirmed the resignations in a press briefing and stated that more announcements regarding government officials’ status will follow.
“The acceptance of the courtesy resignations and the retention of others is proof of the ongoing evaluation of the heads of agencies and other public officials,” Castro said.
Mendoza, a former House secretary general and congressman, was appointed in August 2022 to head the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office.
Felix, a retired police general, was appointed under Executive Order No. 1 issued in June 2022, which reorganized the Office of the President. His position falls under the supervision of Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr.
Arenas leads PNOC Renewables Corp., a subsidiary of the Philippine National Oil Company under the Department of Energy.
Castro said the President has retained the heads of six government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs):
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Jose Arnulfo Veloso, President and General Manager of the Government Service Insurance System
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Ma. Lynette Ortiz, President and CEO of Land Bank of the Philippines
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Michael de Jesus, President and CEO of the Development Bank of the Philippines
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Eduardo Guillen, Administrator of the National Irrigation Administration
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Melquiades Robles, General Manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office
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Edwin Mercado, Acting President of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
Since the May 22 directive requiring Cabinet secretaries, agency heads, and GOCC leaders to submit courtesy resignations, the President has retained 39 officials and removed 10 others.
According to the Palace, the review aims to recalibrate the administration’s priorities following the results of the May 12 midterm elections, in which only six of the administration’s 12 Senate candidates secured seats.
President Marcos stated that the review will be conducted quarterly and has emphasized strict standards for performance. He also disclosed that some dismissals had already taken place earlier in his term without public announcements.