Marcos starts consolidation, purges Duterte loyalists
By: Manuel Mogato | Published: June 6, 2025
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Manila – The recent decision by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to terminate some members of his official Cabinet and retain others based on loyalty and friendship demonstrated the administration’s efforts to consolidate and plug leaks that have harmed the government over the last three years.
“The president should have done that a long time ago,” a political strategist, Ronald Llamas, said. “Many of his officials were deadweight and non-performing, which pulled down his popularity. He had paid his political debts. It’s about time he concentrates on his legacy work. He has to leave behind some lasting reforms that people will remember him for.”
Llamas said the first officials to be removed were those perceived to be loyal to the former president, such as Medardo Guevarra and Prospero de Vera. “They were kept in their position because Marcos and Duterte remained allies after the 2022 elections,” he said. “But, they should not stay one more day in their position because you know where their loyalties lie.”
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There are still some Duterte appointees left but protected by their tenure of office, like former justice Samuel Martirez of the Office of the Ombudsman. He has been protecting the Dutertes and harassing people who were responsible for the arrest of the former president. Martirez’s term ends in August this year
It appeared some of Marcos’ initial choices did not perform well in their positions, like secretaries of foreign affairs, labor, environment, energy, housing, health, and agriculture. “If you will ask me, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin must go,” Llamas said. “He should be the president’s trouble shooter, but that is not in his character. Perhaps, he will better serve the president as a legal adviser.”
The president could also find use for three administration candidates who lost in the midterm elections – Benhur Abalos, Abigail Binay, and Francis Tolentino.
“Some political observers say the dismal results of the 2025 midterm elections precipitated the Cabinet revamp,” he said. “It may be true, but these are inevitable. The pro-Duterte people are slowly eroding public trust in the president, and it is crucial going into the 2028 elections. That could help the Dutertes claw back to power. It will be a disaster for Marcos.”
The president had retained some officials who were proven to be loyal, reliable, and true friends, like Gilberto Teodoro, Jonvic Remulla, Crispin Remulla, Conrado Estrella, Ralph Recto, Frederick Go, Sonny Angara, Rex Gatchalian, and Anton Lagdameo. All belonged to political families long allied with the Marcos.
“I heard the First Lady was disappointed with Enrique Manalo at the foreign affairs department,” he said. “He is not only a weak negotiator and incompetent but also spends a lot of time chasing women’s skirts at the Department of Foreign Affairs. He should have gone two years ago. Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro is a tough negotiator and a workaholic. She has been the workhorse of the department. She is a better replacement.”
The Cabinet revamp is a work in progress. “It is not a perfect process, so we will still see changes, particularly in the communications department, because it is one of the weakest departments,” he added.
He said the Marcos administration has been losing in the propaganda war. “The pro-Duterte narratives have been eating up the bandwidth in social media, there’s little left for the pro-Marcos, and it is costing the president public support,” he said. “That should be reversed. They must find a suitable comms guy.”
The other Cabinet members must be proactive and can anticipate problems instead of waiting for them to happen. He said Transportation boss Vince Dizon is the most ideal Cabinet secretary.
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