Philippines' Marcos expected to announce more cabinet changes

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is expected to announce further changes to his Cabinet on Thursday, his office said, following his call for all department secretaries to submit "courtesy" resignations as he looks to reinvigorate his government.

The sweeping request for resignations, which Marcos had said was necessary to improve performance and efficiency, followed the government's disappointing performance in the May 12 midterm elections.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin will hold a press conference at 2:00 pm to provide an update, the presidential communications office said.

The administration said last week it was retaining the entire economic team, including the secretaries of budget, finance, economic planning, and trade, but Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will be replaced by his undersecretary.

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra told reporters on Thursday that he was being replaced by Darlene Berberabe, Dean of the College of Law of the University of the Philippines.

The cabinet shake-up is widely seen as Marcos' attempt to reset the political agenda and assert his authority over the second half of his single six-year term.