MANILA, Philippines — In a move that has sparked debate over the administration’s “Cabinet reset,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially reassigned two of his most prominent former Cabinet members to newly created roles in Malacañang. Despite their recent removal from their respective departments, Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga and Christina Garcia Frasco have been retained as “trusted advisors,” a trend critics are calling a penchant for “recycling” officials.
The appointments, confirmed on March 20, 2026, come as the administration attempts to balance a “cleansing” of the executive branch with the need to maintain political alliances—specifically with the powerful Garcia clan of Cebu. While both were essentially “shown the door” during the May 2025 reshuffle, their new positions ensure they remain within the President’s inner circle with the rank of Secretary.
“The President has a habit of placing officials he already removed into other token government posts,” noted veteran political observers. “This ‘musical chairs’ approach to governance suggests that personal trust and political debt often outweigh the official performance reviews that led to their initial removal.”
The New “Recycled” Roles:
- Special Envoy for Disaster Risk Reduction (Loyzaga): Former DENR Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga, who was reportedly removed for “underperforming” and frequent overseas travel, will now champion the administration’s agenda on climate action and renewable energy on the international stage.
- Presidential Adviser for Sustainable and Resilient Communities (Frasco): Former Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, whose tenure was marred by the “Love the Philippines” stock footage controversy and allegations of self-promotion, will now focus on fostering collaborations with local government units (LGUs).
A History of “Trusted” Retainees: The retention of Loyzaga and Frasco is not an isolated incident. The Marcos administration has a history of keeping “recycled” aides in the fold:
- Raphael Lotilla: Served as the first Energy Secretary (2022–2025) before succeeding Loyzaga as the current head of the DENR.
- Jerry Acuzar: Removed from the Department of Human Settlements (DHSUD) in May 2025 but immediately designated as Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Development.
- Lucas Bersamin: While he remains the Executive Secretary, his role in the “cleansing” process that removed Loyzaga and Frasco has been viewed as a strategic repositioning of the President’s “loyalists.”
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro defended the move, stating that Frasco and Loyzaga “still have the full trust of the President.” Castro emphasized that Frasco’s background as a former mayor of Liloan, Cebu, makes her uniquely qualified to implement national programs at the community level, particularly as the country faces the “Third Wave” of global economic and climate-related disruptions.
The reappointments coincide with the Peso sliding past ₱60 vs $1 and the nationwide transport strike, adding to the public’s scrutiny of government spending on “newly created” advisory positions. As the Holy Week rush begins and the Amihan season fades, the “resilient” careers of Loyzaga and Frasco serve as a reminder of the enduring nature of political alliances in the Philippines.