Is a Cabinet shake-up imminent?

In political circles, names are already being floated. Labor Secretary Benny Laguesma, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, and Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda have all been mentioned as possible casualties of a looming revamp.

But the bigger story may lie elsewhere.

As of late March 2026, at least nine members of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet have been serving in an acting or officer-in-charge capacity. What an unusually large number for a sitting administration.

Among them are:

Ralph Recto – Acting Executive Secretary

Rolando “Rolly” Toledo – Acting Secretary, Department of Budget and Management

Frederick Go – Acting/Ad interim Secretary, Department of Finance

Vince Dizon – Acting Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways

Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez – Acting Secretary, Department of Transportation

Fredderick “Eric” Vida – Acting Secretary, Department of Justice

Juan Miguel Cuna – Acting Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Dave M. Gomez – Acting Secretary, Presidential Communications Office

Verna Esmeralda C. Buensuceso – Officer in Charge, Department of Tourism

With so many key posts still in an interim state, the question is no longer just who might be replaced, but why so many remain unconfirmed in the first place.

Speculation ranges widely, from performance concerns to internal recalibration. But absent official explanations, the anticipated reshuffle raises a more fundamental question: What is driving the changes at the highest levels of government?

Endend

Food has never been solely about what is on the plate.

Those of us who have spent decades navigating the narrow alleys of regional markets and the technical alchemy of traditional kitchens understand that each grain of heirloom Adlai and drop of patis is a vessel of sovereignty.

These ingredients preserve our communities’ memories and identities.

Today, post-Filipino Food Month 2026, the conversation has shifted from simply celebrating flavor to institutionalizing memory.

The founding of a movement

Twelve years ago, in 2014, the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM) began as a quiet but urgent conversation among chefs, food writers, historians, and farmers.

Registered as Kilusan ng Katutubong Kulinarya ng Pilipinas in the Securities Exchange Commission, we were united by a singular realization: our culinary heritage was being erased by the homogenization of the global palate.

Led by founder Chef Jam Melchor, we envisioned an organization that would mobilize not just kitchens, but also policymakers and rural producers.

I was then the editor-in-chief of Rustan’s Sans Rival and the vice president of the Culinary Historians of the Philippines when I was invited to the preliminary meeting at the Milky Way restaurant along Pasay Road and met fellow editors Marilen Fontanilla of F&B World; Nana Ozaeta of Food Magazine; Nina Daza-Puyal of Appetite Magazine; Chit Juan of Slow Food Philippines; Alu and Adolf Aran of Dine Philippines; Anton Diaz; RJ Ledesma; Gino Jose; and Jack Flaminiano.

This was the core group of PCHM, and we were still buzzing from Anthony Bourdain’s second visit.

We were all bright-eyed and optimistic. We all volunteered our time, talent, personal funds, and social capital so we could create something that is tangible so that the government can see us.

We launched festivals like Ang Sarap! at Mercato Centrale to disrupt the notion of “local” and began the arduous process of petitioning the government.

We argued that if the state can protect a historical building, it must also protect the knowledge of how a community ferments its fish or sours its broth.

We gathered at the National Museum in 2015 to declare gastronomy a national treasure. We wrote to the director general of the National Museum of the Philippines to see if we could hold the PCHM launch there; fortunately, they agreed.

The core group decided to honor the food advocates who came before us, such as Maria Y. Orosa, a food technologist and war hero; Engracia “Asiang” Cruz-Reyes and Teresita Reyes, the founders of Aristocrat and Mama Sita, respectively; literary giants and food writers Gilda Cordero Fernando and Doreen G. Fernandez; and Nora V. Daza, the first television food personality.

We also honored living cultural treasures, food historians, and food advocates for their contributions to the promotion of Filipino food and cuisine, including Felice Prudente-Sta. Maria, Micky Fenix, Dr. Fernando N. Zialcita, Nancy Reyes-Lumen, and Beth Romualdez, among others. I explained to the group how important this was. We stand on the shoulders of giants. They helped us see the horizon and future of Filipino cuisine.

From proclamation to practice

The turning point came in 2018 with Presidential Proclamation No. 469. By declaring April as Filipino Food Month, we moved culinary heritage from the fringes of “lifestyle” into the heart of national cultural policy. Today, every Local Government Unit (LGU) and school is mandated to celebrate and protect local food traditions.

In 2019, we held the inaugural Filipino Food Month at the Manila Hotel, with an unprecedented number of participants and purveyors.

Throughout the pandemic, we maintained the program with a variety of online educational seminars. We connected farmers, food activists, and community pantries via our networks and the networks of our friends. We worked together and shared information regardless of political affiliation, and the most important thing is that no one was left behind.

Since then, PCHM has hosted KAINCON at various universities and colleges across the country. The primary goal of KAINKON is to encourage graduate and undergraduate students to submit academic papers and research on Filipino gastronomy, ranging from studies on street food to complex rice rituals.

Dr. Harold Bernardo Bueno, dean of the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management at Far Eastern University (FEU) Manila; Leo Vergara of Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo de Manila University; and Dr. Kathleen G. Apilado, dean of the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Jose Rizal University, actively participate in this event and took over the organization’s leadership.

For more than a decade of hard work demonstrated by the volunteers of PCHM, Filipino Food Month is no longer a symbolic gesture; it is now a national celebration. Any government institution and private sector can create their own Filipino Food Month celebration according to what their community needs.

In 2026, under the theme “Connected by Taste: Filipino Food in the Flavors of ASEAN,” we are witnessing a maturing of our culinary diplomacy. From the national launch in Iloilo City — our UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy — to the diplomatic tables of Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur, we are positioning the Filipino table as a site of soft power.

Our cuisine is now recognized as a vital node in Southeast Asian culture, highlighting shared traditions like Satti and Indonesian Sate and our common use of fermented pastes and coconut milk.

The 2026 agenda: Mapping and mandates

What does the PCHM look like now? KAINCON (Kain Conference) was held at the Bataan Peninsula State University last April 23, where students gathered to map out the future of food with mentors Ruston Banal, Chit Juan, Dr. Lailie Uy-Sicdawag, and Tracey Santiago.

The current agenda is twofold. The first is culinary mapping: systematically documenting “endangered” regional recipes, ranging from complex Moro traditions in Marawi to Balikutsa in Ilocos Sur.

And secondly, the Philippine Culinary Heritage Act: Senator Loren Legarda is championing Senate Bill No. 822, which we hope will be passed. This law seeks to establish a permanent committee on Philippine gastronomy within the NCCA. It would require all local governments to protect their local foodways, making funding a matter of law rather than luck.

The honest table

I have always argued that “everything you think you know about Filipino food is wrong.” We are not “exotic,” and our food isn’t just about history — it’s about the lived, breathing present. We don’t need “fusion” to earn a place on the world stage. As the 2026 Michelin Guide for Manila and Cebu has shown, the world is finally developing a palate for our authenticity.

However, our true legacy isn’t in stars or accolades. It is found in the resilience of the farmer in Sultan Kudarat and the fisherfolk in Pangasinan. It is in the advocacy for heirloom ingredients like Kalinga rice and local cacao from Bago, Negros Occidental, which supports rural livelihoods and preserves biodiversity.

Through the PCHM, we have inspired open minds and bridged the gap between rural producers and urban consumers.

Through global recognition, such as the UNESCO inscription of Bohol’s Asin Tibuok salt, we have proven that traditional methods can thrive in a modern context.

We are ensuring that when we sit down at the table, we aren’t just consuming calories. We are consuming our identity, protected by policy and seasoned by time.

The commitment was highlighted during a May 4 meeting between Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., where both sides mapped out expanded cooperation in agriculture, trade, and innovation.

The Department of Agriculture said the Expo will allow the Philippines to present its strengths in horticulture, agri-innovation, and cultural heritage at a time when food security and supply chains are under strain from shifting geopolitics and climate risks.

Japan remains a critical partner. Philippine agri-fishery exports to Japan reached about $1.1 billion in 2023, generating a $990 million trade surplus for Manila. Japan is also the country’s second-largest market for agricultural exports, with demand anchored on bananas, pineapples, and fisheries products.

Bananas alone accounted for roughly $760 million in exports in 2023, underscoring the scale of the relationship. Overall fruit and nut exports to Japan continue to expand, reflecting strong consumer demand and established supply chains.

For its part, Japan has increasingly supported Philippine agriculture through technology, inputs, and systems — from fertilizers to machinery — highlighting a complementary trade structure.

Ambassador Endo reaffirmed Japan’s support for advancing Philippine agriculture, particularly in promoting sustainability and improving market access.

Tiu Laurel, meanwhile, expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued partnership and underscored Manila’s commitment to strengthening cooperation, especially in building a more resilient and competitive agricultural sector.

As both countries look toward Green Expo 2027, the Philippines is positioning agriculture not just as a trade pillar, but as a strategic bridge for innovation, sustainability, and long-term economic security.

At Cucina, “Made for Mom: A Cucina Celebration” headlines the festivities with a special buffet on May 9 (lunch and dinner) at ₱2,988 per person, and on May 10 (lunch) at ₱3,200. Beyond the spread, guests can enjoy a Flower Bar, a Summer Mocktail Mixing Experience with Dilmah, a photo booth, dessert grazing stations, and live entertainment—creating a lively yet polished family affair.

For a more intimate setting, Lung Hin offers “For the Love of Mom,” a Cantonese set menu available from May 1 to 10 at ₱2,888 per person (minimum of four). Highlights include Peking duck roll, braised dried scallop soup with seafood, wok-fried prawns with seasonal vegetables, and seafood spinach fried rice, ending with a signature mango custard roll and fresh fruit platter. A Renmano beverage pairing is available at ₱988 for two hours.

At VU’s Sky Bar and Lounge, “Sunset Date with Mom” pairs panoramic city views with unlimited tapas and rosé wine for two hours at ₱3,500 for two persons—ideal for a more relaxed, scenic celebration.

Connect Lounge complements the occasion with floral and fruit-forward cocktails throughout May, including Cherry Blossom Martini, Elderflower Rose Spritz, and Sangria de Rosa, priced at ₱450.

For gifting, Café Pronto offers a selection of sweet creations from May 1 to 10, including a Fruity Chocolate Cake (₱2,200), Mini Cake boxes (₱1,500), and Praline Boxes (₱500 for six pieces; ₱900 for twelve). Each praline purchase comes with a “Mom’s Box of Fun” scratch card, giving guests a chance to win dining treats and offers across the hotel (DT Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-254931 Series of 2026).

For reservations and inquiries, call +632 7720 7777 or email manila@marcopolohotels.com or restaurant.mnl@marcopolohotels.com.

“London Bridge is falling down, falling down…” is a well-known nursery rhyme meant to entertain young children miming as they sing. Up in Northern Luzon, however, it seems that bridge falls are a recurring headline.

Over the weekend, the Kaliwet Bailey detour bridge in Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur, literally fell after a 20-ton truck — that’s four times the five-ton limit — crossed its span. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has since rushed in to set up a temporary access route.

But in no sense is that, or even the government’s promise of accountability, comforting. Why? This is the third time a bridge has collapsed in the northern region since March last year. Yes, we’ve seen this twice last year.

In the Cabagan–Sta. Maria Bridge collapse, blame initially veered toward “design flaws.” But engineers later pointed to a far simpler truth: a 102-ton truck crossing a bridge rated for barely half that. Overloading, plain and simple — enabled by a system that failed to stop it.

Then, in October, the Piggatan Bridge in Alcala crumbled under the weight of three trucks hauling palay. Again, the easy culprit was the trucker. The harder truth was institutional neglect: bridges built for a bygone era, left unreinforced for modern loads, and barely monitored.

Now, here we are again — in Ilocos Sur, no less. Three collapses. Same story. Same failures. All in the northern corridor — Regions 1 and 2 — President Bongbong Marcos’s bailiwick. Shouldn’t these incidents be particularly alarming for him? And yet it happens with unbelievable frequency.

The DPWH says it will hold the truck operator accountable in this latest incident. Fine. But accountability cannot stop at the driver’s seat. It must climb the chain — into the offices that allowed these violations to pass unchecked.

Three collapses in one region are not a coincidence or a string of bad luck. It points more to a broken system of guarding public infrastructure. So, Mr. President, when’s the next scheduled time for a falling bridge?

Inciting a riot

Going viral on May 1 were not the issues chanted in the usual Labor Day march, but an absolute airhead who supplanted the protest in Manila by swinging at a cop peacefully holding his ground. The video shows this tough guy, his face covered, and instead of marching to the beat of workers’ rights, goes full kanto — throwing punches at a cop, nearly sparking a brawl.

The Manila Police District and the Philippine National Police (PNP) held the line with maximum tolerance despite the cheap shot. The cops on the frontline did not retaliate with a punch. That’s discipline, Mr. Tough Guy.

The good thing is, his face has been visible in other video footage, and so the hunt is on. Let me egg on the PNP to go get this guy behind bars, where he can think of putting his energies to better use, since he doesn’t seem capable of respecting the work of others.

Guys like these with mighty arms and strength in those pecs have no right being a goofball at the picket line, derailing legitimate grievances. Instead of representing the labor sector with dignity, he embarrasses it. I hope he learns his lesson in jail.

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SHORT BURSTS. For comments or reactions, email firingline@ymail.com or tweet @Side_View via X app (formerly Twitter). Read current and past issues of this column at https://www.thephilbiznews.com

During a high-level visit to Manila, Japanese officials highlighted the strategic importance of the Batangas LNG Terminal—jointly operated by Tokyo Gas and Philippine partners—as a cornerstone of bilateral collaboration. The facility supports the Philippines’ shift toward cleaner energy sources while strengthening regional energy security.

Engagements with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council underscored Japan’s broader investment agenda in ASEAN, particularly in empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), accelerating startup development, and fostering innovation-driven growth across the region.

Discussions also reflected a shared priority to deepen Japan-ASEAN economic ties through sustainable infrastructure, technology transfer, and long-term capital investments aligned with low-carbon development goals.

In parallel, Japanese representatives met with Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who reaffirmed his support for strengthening Philippines-Japan relations, following his recent recognition with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun.

The visit further included dialogues with Japanese companies operating in the Philippines, signaling continued confidence in the country as a strategic investment hub and a gateway to ASEAN markets.

The meeting, co-chaired by DFA Undersecretary for Policy Leo M. Herrera-Lim and Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Olexandr Mischenko, underscored the urgency of building resilient partnerships as conflicts and economic disruptions continue to reshape global dynamics.

Officials from both sides, including Philippine Ambassador to Ukraine Alan L. Deniega and Ukrainian Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv, discussed expanding cooperation in defense, cybersecurity, innovation, trade, agriculture, energy, and health; these sectors are seen as critical in navigating shared vulnerabilities.

The consultations come more than a decade after the inaugural round in Kyiv and follow a series of high-level engagements, including the meeting between Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the latter’s visit to Manila in 2024.

The opening of Ukraine’s embassy in Manila later that year further signaled a strengthening of bilateral ties.

Beyond bilateral issues, both sides exchanged views on regional and global developments, with Manila outlining priorities under its ASEAN chairship and Kyiv sharing updates on efforts toward a just and lasting peace.

In a world marked by shifting alliances, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to sustained dialogue, multilateral engagement, and the rules-based international order.

DTI Board of Investments (BOI) Managing Head Undersecretary Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo met with Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Eden Bar Tal to explore expanded collaboration in critical minerals value chains and AI-driven industrial development, aligned with the US-led Pax Silica initiative and emerging global critical minerals frameworks.

The engagement comes shortly after the Philippines’ accession to the Pax Silica alliance and its recent partnership with the United States to establish a 4,000-acre AI-native industrial acceleration hub in Luzon, positioning the country as an emerging node in the global advanced manufacturing and AI ecosystem.

Critical minerals—such as nickel, copper, and cobalt—are essential components in semiconductor production, powering microchips, advanced processors, and AI hardware systems. Bar Tal, who chairs Israel’s governmental steering committee on critical minerals strategy, underscored the strategic importance of securing resilient and diversified supply chains for future technologies.

Both sides discussed potential cooperation on mineral processing and refining technologies, where Israel’s strengths in advanced mining solutions, water technologies, and environmental innovation could complement the Philippines’ rich mineral endowment and expanding semiconductor manufacturing base.

The discussions also explored a possible bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) covering critical minerals cooperation, research and development, and AI ecosystem integration—highlighting the strong complementarity between Philippine raw material resources and skilled workforce, and Israel’s deep-tech innovation capabilities.

Further cooperation was also linked to leveraging the Philippines’ growing semiconductor and microchip manufacturing sector to support AI development, reinforcing its positioning in higher-value segments of the global technology supply chain.

Undersecretary Rodolfo is currently in the region to participate in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)) Critical Minerals Forum and to engage with other Pax Silica partner economies.

While in Israel, he is also scheduled to meet officials from the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Israel National AI Directorate, and the Israel Innovation Authority, along with key stakeholders in the country’s high-tech and trade sectors.

The milestone traces back to May 17, 1951, when formal ties were established.

The reception, held in celebration of the birthday of King Willem-Alexander, brought together guests from the Philippine government, civil society, academe, and business sector. Members of the Dutch community in the Philippines later joined the festivities, led by the Dutch Club Philippines and the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines.

In her remarks, Ambassador Marielle Geraedts underscored the enduring foundations of bilateral cooperation, describing the relationship as a “partnership grounded in mutual respect and shared values of democracy, freedom, and respect for international law.”

In a video message, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro highlighted the strong maritime connection between the two nations and noted the steady expansion of cooperation across various sectors. She emphasized that the Netherlands consistently ranks among the Philippines’ top foreign investors and is one of its leading trading partners within the European Union.

Ambassador Geraedts also pointed out that more than 150 Dutch companies operate in the Philippines, spanning industries such as semiconductors, water management, engineering, and food production.

A traveling exhibition was unveiled during the reception, showcasing decades of collaboration and shared experiences that have shaped the bilateral relationship. The exhibition will be featured in several venues throughout Orange Month, including Uptown Mall from May 4 to 7.

The embassy has also lined up a series of events, including a King’s Day Forum titled “Infra Done Right: Environmental, Social, and Governance Standards in Water Infrastructure and Development in the Philippines,” a film screening on May 8, and discussions promoting fact-based reporting on the West Philippine Sea and the rule of law.

Which is why one foreign mission was stunned to discover that someone inside its own ranks had allegedly been using both as currency.

Let’s call this person NS — short for Nefarious Staff.

For quite some time, NS reportedly moved through suppliers and contacts invoking the Embassy and even the Ambassador’s name to secure favors, special treatment, and personal advantage. The arrangement might have continued quietly had suppliers not begun emailing the mission directly, asking a simple but devastating question:

Were these requests actually authorized?

That was when alarm bells rang inside the foreign office.

Faced with mounting concerns, the Ambassador reportedly confronted NS and laid out two choices: resignation or termination.

Wanting to preserve what little dignity remained, NS opted for the softer exit — a courtesy resignation.

But the story did not end there.

Months after leaving the Embassy, officials were still receiving inquiries asking whether NS remained connected to the mission. According to sources, NS allegedly continued invoking the Embassy’s name long after being shown the door.

Old habits, it seems, do not retire easily.

And that was only one layer of the drama.

Insiders say NS even borrowed money from the Embassy’s janitor — a detail that left colleagues bewildered. Of all people inside the mission, why the janitor?

Then came the office romance.

NS reportedly became romantically involved with another foreign staff member within the mission, stirring whispers across diplomatic halls. For seasoned embassy hands, it violated an unspoken rule of workplace survival: don’t pooh in your own backyard.

But perhaps the deepest irritation came after the resignation.

Instead of disappearing quietly, NS allegedly began making the rounds — engaging in what some insiders jokingly called “forum shopping,” moving from one circle to another while disparaging the Embassy’s leadership and attacking the very institution once attached to the signature block.

At one point, NS even approached THEPHILBIZNEWS claiming to have material fit for LEAKIPEDIA.

But the publication, however, remains guided by one principle: THEPHILBIZNEWS “LEAKipedia” delivers informed insights, anchored firmly on facts.

Former colleagues now describe NS’s behavior as strange, erratic, even preposterous. Others quietly wonder how the Ambassador would react upon learning the full extent of what is allegedly being said behind diplomatic doors.

Because in diplomacy, reputations travel fast. And sometimes faster than official cables.