MANILA—President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has made a comprehensive series of appointments, filling key positions across various Philippine government agencies, as announced by Malacañang on Saturday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Amable Aguiluz V was reappointed as the Special Envoy of the President to Japan for Trade and Investments, a role he first took on in April 2023. The announcement also highlighted the appointment of Daniel Espiritu as the Philippine Ambassador to Ireland and Markus Lacanilao as the Special Envoy on Transnational Crimes. Agnes Tolentino has been designated the assistant secretary for the National Economic and Development Authority, with similar assistant secretary roles filled by Marie France Tiatco for the Department of Transportation and Richelieu Raymund Remandaban for the National Security Council.
In addition to these, Winston Castelo was named chairperson and board member of the Philippine Pharma Procurement, Inc., with Maria Blanca Kim Lokin serving as president, CEO, and board member. Robert Bastillo will take over as president, CEO, and board member of the Small Business Corporation. Further appointments include Ricarte Padilla as chairperson of the Regional Development Council in the Bicol Region, and Anthony Alcantara as executive director of the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime.
Significant roles in media and entertainment are also filled, with Fernando Prieto joining the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, and actress Gladys Reyes-Sommereux appointed as a member of the Appeals Committee. The Philippine Commission on Women will welcome new members Rosemarie Rafael and Evelyn Uy, representing the labor and farmers and fisherfolk sectors, respectively.
The Philippine Postal Corporation will see Luis Carlos as the new postmaster general and CEO. At the local government level, Michelle Bonifacio and Jose Ruben Tolentino were appointed as members of Sangguniang Panlungsod in the cities of Angeles and San Juan, respectively. Numerous other directorial and executive roles across various departments such as Health, Interior and Local Government, Environment, and Education were also filled as part of this extensive update to the administration's personnel.