President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has removed former Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz from the board of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), the Philippines’ de facto embassy in Taiwan, effectively ending his government service.
Ruiz, who was reassigned to MECO after a brief and troubled stint as PCO chief, was replaced by former PCO undersecretary Cherbett Karen Lucero Maralit. The Palace offered no explanation for the move.
The reshuffle comes after columnist Ramon Tulfo alleged that Ruiz was removed from the PCO over a missing ₱50 million cash stash, a claim the PCO denied.
Maralit, who has served as deputy resident representative of MECO and chief of staff to former MECO chair Cheloy Garafil, strengthens the Palace’s influence over the office.
Observers noted that the change underscores the administration’s ongoing practice of placing loyal and crisis-tested officials in key positions, particularly in sensitive posts like MECO, which manages Manila–Taipei relations.