Año remains in his post amid Cabinet ‘adjustments’

Following a major shakeup in the Cabinet after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called for the courtesy resignation of its members on May 22, the fate of other government officials’ tenure remains to be seen, as the President is yet to approve or decline the resignation of some of them.

Such was the case with National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, whose history of health issues since the COVID-19 pandemic did not deter him from serving in his current capacity.

At the Palace Press briefing this Tuesday, June 10, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro reiterated President Marcos’ support for NSA Año’s decision to stay on, citing his competence and good performance.

“The President agrees that he can continue to do the fine job he has been doing. So, maaari pong manatili si Secretary Año hangga’t kakayanin ng kanyang kalusugan,” Castro said.

She issued the statement in a bid to pacify concerns about the series of leadership changes in the Marcos Jr. administration, which the Chief Executive considers a strategic “recalibration”.

Año was a former Armed Forces chief of staff and Interior and Local Government secretary, who succeeded Clarita Carlos upon his appointment as the National Security Adviser in 2023.

However, Malacañang did not provide a definite timeline for the expected duration of Año’s term in office, with future changes depending on his health and personal decision.

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