Malacañang on Friday dismissed speculation of an imminent Cabinet reorganization despite concerns over several department heads serving in an acting capacity, assuring that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will soon submit his appointees to the Commission on Appointments (CA).
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President made clear that no Cabinet “rigodon” is planned.
“Natanong po natin ang Pangulo kanina. Wala na pong rigodon, at ang mga pangalan po ay isusumite sa Commission on Appointments the soonest possible,” Castro said.
“Ang sabi lang po sa atin, ang mga pangalan ng magiging secretary ay ibibigay po at isusumite sa Commission on Appointments,” she added.
Castro also confirmed that Marcos is currently reviewing the appointment records of Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla, whose confirmation has reportedly been bypassed multiple times.
She clarified, however, that this does not automatically mean Lotilla is set to leave the Cabinet.
“With regard to the rigodon, sa ngayon wala po; pero iyong patungkol po kay DENR Secretary, tinitingnan po iyan ng Pangulo,” Castro said.
“Titingnan po muna kung ano po iyong records sa ngayon. Kapag po napakita na po sa atin at naibigay po sa atin ang update, ibibigay ko po sa inyo agad,” she added.
She explained that following the third bypass of Lotilla’s appointment, “the President and the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) are currently reviewing the records, and we will see what the update will be regarding this matter.”
Speculation about another Cabinet shakeup resurfaced earlier this year, recalling past reorganizations under the Marcos administration.
In May last year, Cabinet members were asked to submit courtesy resignations, leading to a major revamp.
Another reshuffle followed in November after former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman were linked to flood control issues, resulting in their replacement by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and Acting Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo.