The entire leadership of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has submitted courtesy resignations to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—a move widely expected NOT to be accepted, in line with the customary practice during government reorganizations.
Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the resignations were intended to give the President a “free hand in reorganizing the bureaucracy.”
Tengco revealed that he and all members of the agency’s Board of Directors tendered their resignations last week, ahead of the Palace directive issued on May 21st, which required all officials of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to do the same. However, sources consulted by AGB indicated that most, if not all, of the PAGCOR leadership resignations are likely to be rejected as part of the standard reorganization process.
In a press release issued Thursday, Tengco stated, “We serve at the pleasure of the President, and we will accept whatever the Chief Executive’s decision will be.”
The mass resignation includes PAGCOR President and COO Wilma Eisma and Directors Jose Maria Ortega, Francis Democrito Concordia, and Gilbert Cesar Remulla, representing a complete leadership transition for the gaming regulator.
The courtesy resignations form part of President Marcos Jr.’s broader directive for GOCC officials to step down, aimed at facilitating a comprehensive government reorganization. This move reflects the President’s stated intention to “recalibrate” his administration following what he described as public fatigue with politics and disappointment with government performance, as indicated by the May 2025 midterm election results.
In the Philippine government system, courtesy resignations represent a customary practice allowing incoming or reorganizing presidents to select their preferred appointees for key positions. The process enables the Chief Executive to align the bureaucracy with their administration’s vision and priorities while conducting performance reviews of existing officials.
For PAGCOR, a significant revenue-generating GOCC, leadership changes under new administrations have historically occurred through similar resignation processes. The agency’s strategic importance in government revenue collection and gaming regulation makes it a focal point for presidential appointments seeking to ensure alignment with administrative goals.
The resignation comes despite recent commendations for PAGCOR’s role in the Philippines’ removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, suggesting the move stems from the broader reorganization policy rather than performance issues.
The President retains final authority on accepting or rejecting the submitted resignations as part of his administration’s “results-first mindset” approach to government operations.
