MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. administered the oath of office to 10 Cabinet officials and government agency heads during a ceremony at Malacañang Palace on Friday, November 6, as his administration moves to strengthen leadership and accountability across key government institutions.
The officials received ad interim appointments, which remain subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments (CA), the constitutional body responsible for reviewing and approving certain presidential appointments.
Among those who took their oath were Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and Department of Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida.
Also included were Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Francis Tolentino, and Department of Health Secretary Edwin Mercado.
Completing the list were Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, Department of Tourism Secretary Maria Bernardita Mathay, Department of Transportation Secretary Vivencio Dizon, Department of Budget and Management Secretary Kim Robert De Leon, and Philippine Space Agency Director General Gay Jane Perez.
During the ceremony, Marcos praised the officials and described them as the “best team ever assembled” in Malacañang since the Cabinet of his late father, former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
The President emphasized the importance of strengthening public accountability, ensuring transparency in government operations, and protecting public funds while translating government policies into concrete improvements in public services.
He also called on government agencies to address longstanding concerns and ensure the effective implementation of priority programs that directly benefit Filipino families.
Recto explained that the oath-taking formalized the officials’ ad interim appointments and signaled their next step toward confirmation by the Commission on Appointments. He said the necessary submissions had already been made to the commission.
The latest appointments follow a series of Cabinet changes under the Marcos administration, including the reassignment of Dizon from the DPWH to the Department of Transportation and Lopez’s transfer to the DPWH.
Earlier, Marcos also administered the oath of office to Department of Finance Secretary Frederick Go on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
With the confirmation process ahead, the administration is expected to continue strengthening its leadership team while pushing for improved government performance, accountability, and more responsive public services.
Sources: GMA News, Presidential Communications Office, and Philippine News Agency.
