MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially administered the oath of office to 10 ad interim heads of various government departments and agencies during a ceremony at Malacañang Palace.
Describing the group as an exceptional lineup, the President praised the newly sworn officials as a top-tier administration team.
“This is the best team ever assembled here since my father’s Cabinet,” Marcos remarked during the ceremony.
The newly sworn officials include Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, Public Works Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino, and Health Secretary Edwin M. Mercado. Rounding out the list of appointees are Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, Tourism Secretary Maria Bernardita Mathay, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Budget Secretary Kim Robert De Leon, and Philippine Space Agency Director General Gay Jane Perez.
These ad interim appointments will now be submitted to the Commission on Appointments—comprising members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives—for formal confirmation.
During the event, Marcos emphasized the administration’s core governance agenda, stressing the need to uphold the rule of law, reinforce transparency, protect public funds, and translate high-level policies into tangible improvements in public services.
In a subsequent Palace briefing, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro outlined key directives issued by the President ahead of the holiday season, emphasizing public welfare, safety, and workers’ rights.
“Mahalaga rin na matiyak ang maayos, ligtas at maginhawang transportasyon para sa mga uuwi sa kani-kanilang probinsiya upang makapiling ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay,” Castro stated.
“Kasabay nito, dapat ding tiyakin na sumusunod ang mga employer sa labor laws, kabilang ang tamang pagbibigay ng holiday pay at iba pang benepisyo ng mga manggagawa,” she added.
The Palace expects all department and agency heads to drive timely, efficient implementation of priority programs to address longstanding sector challenges and directly benefit workers, patients, commuters, and families nationwide.