Education Secretary Sonny Angara stated that the Palace has confirmed no plans for a Cabinet revamp under President Marcos. He cited Executive Secretary Ralph Recto as denying it. Angara also thanked a communications undersecretary for the clarification.
During a chance interview at the launch of the Department of Education's “Project AGAP.AI: The National Kick-off” at Quezon City Science High School, Education Secretary Sonny Angara stated that there are no plans for a Cabinet revamp. “Not the President, but Executive Secretary (Ralph Recto) said there is none. Then the Presidential Management Staff secretary also told me there is none,” he said when asked about the rumored shake-up.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro has maintained that there would be no changes in President Marcos' Cabinet for now, following reports of a potential extensive revamp affecting up to nine agencies. “Hopefully we are not included… and of course, we are also grateful to the statement made by Undersecretary Claire Castro, clarifying that there is no such thing,” Angara added.
He declined to judge his own performance as DepEd secretary and refused to identify the source of the rumor. Online news site Politiko reported that the supposed shake-up aimed to address the President's declining trust and approval ratings. Agencies reportedly under review include the Departments of Health, Education, Foreign Affairs, Transportation, Tourism, Information and Communications Technology, Public Works and Highways, and Economy, Planning and Development, as well as the Bureau of Customs. The report alleged that Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Kiko Benitez is being eyed to replace Angara.
Castro explained the “for now” qualifier in her denial: “Let’s be honest: in all cases, the President evaluates his Cabinet members and, for now, there is no information relayed that he is already dissatisfied with some secretaries.” If a revamp occurs, it will be announced. There are also no plans for now to disband the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.