The Philippine government is still grappling with the nationwide flood-control corruption scandal, which has implicated influential lawmakers and intensified public pressure for systemic reform. Amid this escalating public outrage, the Marcos administration has moved to restructure key leadership positions, signaling a broader attempt to stabilize governance. President Marcos appointed Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, Frederick Go, as the new Secretary for Finance, replacing Ralph Recto, who has been reassigned as Executive Secretary. This reshuffle is part of a wider effort to strengthen institutional coordination as the government confronts the fallout from the flood-control scandal. Go, who played a key role in tariff discussions with the United States, steps into the Department of Finance during a period of political uncertainty, while Recto brings legislative experience to the Office of the Executive Secretary. The changes accompany the voluntary resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who stepped down after their names were mentioned in a video by Representative Zaldy Co, a pivotal player in the widening investigations of the flood control statements. Co alleged that both officials directed the insertion of ₱100 billion into the 2025 national budget during bicameral deliberation. Budget Undersecretary Rolando Toledo has been named officer-in-charge of the Department of Budget and Management.
New appointments across the government’s finance agencies have also taken place in 2025, further signaling the administration’s effort to reinforce fiscal management and public accountability. Earlier this month, President Marcos appointed former Finance Undersecretary Charlito Martin Mendoza as the new Commissioner for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). Mendoza, known for record-setting collections and strengthened border controls, steps into the BIR at a time when revenue reliability is under heightened scrutiny. This comes after the earlier appointment of Ariel Nepomuceno as the Commissioner for the Bureau of Customs (BOC). Nepomuceno, who previously held senior enforcement roles within Customs, returns to the bureau with a mandate to tighten border security, curb illicit trade, and stem corruption within the agency.
