Manila: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos asked all cabinet ministers on Thursday to submit their formal resignations following the poor performance in last week's midterm elections.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the Philippine presidency stated that this step came as part of a recalibration of the president's administration following the midterm elections, which were viewed as a referendum on the government's performance.
The statement noted that Marcos expressed that these resignations will allow him the opportunity to assess the performance of each ministry individually and make decisions on who will continue to serve. He emphasized that it is not about individuals but rather "performance, alignment, and speed of achievement" in light of what he described as "the government's recalibrated priorities." The decision has sparked controversy and speculation in the Philippines, with some observers viewing it as an attempt to test the ministers' loyalty to Marcos and eliminate any remaining loyalists to his rival, former President Rodrigo Duterte, especially given the tense political climate following the elections.