By Brian Campued
In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s ongoing Cabinet reset, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Thursday announced that three secretaries will continue to serve under the administration, while the courtesy resignations of three others were accepted by the President.
In a press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday, May 29, Bersamin disclosed that Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) Director PMaj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III is the new PNP Chief, replacing PGEN. Rommel Francisco Marbil, who is set to retire in June.
According to Bersamin, the appointment of Torre as well as other PNP officers remains confidential and at the discretion of the President. “No one can question the use of that discretion. Call it inscrutable but right now, the considerations that weighed in the choice of General Torre should be respected.”
Before becoming the CIDG chief, Torre led the high-profile arrests of Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy and former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Meanwhile, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra would be replaced by University of the Philippines’ College of Law Dean Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe, who earlier took oath before the President.
Bersamin cited Berberabe’s “strong philosophy background” as a guiding principle that will help her “competently perform her tasks as the Solicitor General.”
“It is expected that the new Solicitor General, being a brilliant intellectual person, must have understood her clear task of defending the interest of the Philippine government,” the Executive Secretary said.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson J. Prospero De Vera III will be replaced by CHED Commissioner Shirley Agrupis, who previously served as the president of the Mariano Marcos State University in Ilocos Norte.
While he declined to reveal the official reason behind Marcos’ decision to accept De Vera’s resignation, Bersamin said the leadership change in CHED would give a “fresh start” to the agency.
“As far as I know, although this is not the official reason, you know si CHED Chairperson De Vera has been there for two terms na… Maybe the President wanted to give a fresh start to the CHED… or maybe there were other reasons.”
Meanwhile, Bersamin confirmed that the Chief Executive decided to retain Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in his Cabinet.
Bersamin reiterated that the “rigorous and ongoing evaluation of government performance” is in line with the President’s “commitment to a government that works fast, delivers results, and meets the expectations” of the people.
“The people expect results that the President has no patience for underperformance.”
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