Higher Education chief, solicitor general out; Reclamation chairman first GOCC head to resign

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has accepted the courtesy resignation of Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Chairman Prospero De Vera III, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced on Thursday.

Taking over his post is CHEd commissioner Shirley Agrupis.

“As far as I know, although this is not the official reason. CHEd chair[man] De Vera has been there for two terms. Maybe the President wants to give CHEd a fresh start,” Bersamin said.

De Vera’s resignation is the latest among the courtesy resignations accepted by the President, along with former solicitor general Menardo Guevarra.

Guevarra was replaced by University of the Philippine law dean Darlene Berberabe.

Earlier on Thursday, Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) Chairman Alex Lopez tendered his resignation, making him the first government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) head to do so amid President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s sweeping government reorganization.

Lopez, appointed by President Marcos in 2023, steered the PRA to record-breaking financial performance during his tenure. Under his leadership, the agency posted a net income of P89.86 billion (approximately $1.6 billion) in 2023, representing significant growth from previous years and cementing the PRA’s position among the country’s most profitable GOCCs.

As the chief regulator of all reclamation projects under the administration’s Build Better More infrastructure program, Lopez balanced economic development with environmental and social considerations in major land reclamation initiatives. His stewardship saw the PRA take a central role in the government’s infrastructure push while maintaining strong fiscal performance.

In his resignation letter dated May 23 addressed to the President through Bersamin, Lopez expressed his “utmost respect and a heart full of gratitude” for the opportunity to serve. “I tender my courtesy resignation as Chairman of the Philippine Reclamation Authority, in line with your directive to realign and recalibrate our administration’s priorities,” he wrote.

The outgoing chairman reaffirmed his commitment to the administration’s vision of a “Bagong Pilipinas.”

“With every step toward change, my heart always remains with the Filipino people,” said Lopez.

He pledged continued support for poverty reduction efforts and national development, whether in or out of government service.