MANILA, Philippines — Looks like the Palace isn’t done cleaning house just yet.
Fresh off a headline-making Cabinet reshuffle, Malacañang is now turning its sights on a new target with 168 top honchos running government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and investment agencies.
According to Biz Buzz’s well-placed source, official letters signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin have been sent out, asking these agency heads to file their courtesy resignations.
Yep, you read that right: more exits could be on the horizon.
READ: Cleaning the House of Marcos
One big name reportedly on the list? The office of Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Tereso Panga, who’s been one of the administration’s front-liners in drumming up foreign investments and is also among the biggest remitters to the national coffers.
The source added that Bersamin, along with a small review panel of four other insiders, will be evaluating the performance of each official before deciding who stays and who goes.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Home Development Mutual Fund, commonly known as the Pag-Ibig, are also among the agencies whose top officials were asked to tender their resignations, the same source confirmed.
The move has stirred unease across parts of the bureaucracy, particularly among officials linked to the previous Duterte administration, which had a falling out with the Marcos camp.
Looks like the real power shuffle is just getting started, and all eyes will soon be on who will make the cut and who’s getting shown the door. —Alden M. Monzon
Tiu Laurel staying on … for now
Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is still the secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA)—at least for now.
“I don’t know,” Tiu Laurel said on Monday when asked if he had been retained amid the Marcos administration’s massive overhaul of the executive branch.
President Marcos has not yet acted on the courtesy resignation submitted by Tiu Laurel and other Cabinet members, as performance evaluations are ongoing.
“Well, it’s up to the president. I fully support his move for all the Cabinet members to submit a courtesy resignation for a reset,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an open dialogue with palay farmers in Malolos, Bulacan.
While waiting for the President’s final decision, Tiu Laurel assured the public that DA officials and staff are working double time to deliver various interventions for the farm sector.
“In case I’m still the one chosen to be the agriculture secretary, well, it’s an additional headache and exhaustion. But in any case, it doesn’t matter to me. What is important is that I do my work while he makes his final decision,” he added.
Tiu Laurel said he can either go back to their family business, the Frabelle Group of Companies, or venture into cultivating palay, corn and cassava, as well as raising hogs.
But one thing is certain: Tiu Laurel is not yet ready to retire. —Jordeene B. Lagare
Gaga for Guimaras mangoes
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has gone all-out in promoting the country’s famous Guimaras mangoes, highlighting their premium quality and export potential.
These golden goodies, dubbed the “sweetest in the world,” are now strutting from the island orchards to the international spotlight, thanks to a juicy marketing blitz that’s got everyone from farmers to foreign buyers talking.
Think trade fairs, glam partnerships and logistics collabs that bring the fruit from tree to table with style.
Spearheaded by the DTI’s Supply Chain and Logistics Group and Regional Operations Group, this mango mission is more than just a food promo: it’s a sweet play for economic empowerment and heritage pride.
And here’s the cherry (or should we say mango) on top: Guimaras mangoes are the only agricultural product in the country with Geographic Indication status, giving them the luxury-label stamp of authenticity.
That’s right, these aren’t just mangoes, they’re location-certified icons.
READ: DTI taps PHLPost for B2C delivery of Guimaras mangoes to Metro Manila
“The DTI is fully committed to supporting initiatives that protect the authenticity of our local products while enabling them to thrive in modern, competitive markets,” said Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque.
The DTI isn’t stopping there, teaming up with logistics bigwig Airspeed to help small farms like Guimaras Wonders Farm get a taste of the high-end market life.
Oh, and if you can’t make it to the island? No worries.
Thanks to tie-ups with Shopee and LBC, you can now get your mango fix delivered straight to your doorstep, whether you’re lounging in Luzon or chillin’ in Cebu. —Alden M. Monzon INQ