Following Malacañang’s announcement of the swap between Secretary Vince Dizon and Secretary Giovanni Lopez, the Palace stressed that the President’s intention was for the welfare of the Filipino people.

According to Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Secretary Lino Cayetano, the decision of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. is not connected with politics or the dwindling approval and trust ratings; the decision was made for the public.

“Our President's basis for all his decisions ay anong makakaganda sa ating mga kababayan,” he said

In the latest Pulse Asia survey as of September 2026, the President’s approval rating reached 30%, while the trust rating was 29%. These are lower than the ratings of Vice President Sara Duterte, who got a 54% approval rating and 55% trust rating.

Nevertheless, Cayetano denied that the Cabinet reshuffle is an alleged direct response on a declining ratings of the President. He emphasized that the reshuffle is a direct response of the administration to the needs of the people, and the President does not focus on the numbers that reflects in the approval ratings.

“It's a direct response sa mga pangailangan ng ating mga kababayan. Our President doesn't look at daily numbers when it comes to approval rating,” Cayetano said

Once the reshuffle takes effect, Dizon was tasked to return to the DOTr to ease the public’s daily commute, while Lopez was assigned to the DPWH to continue and ensure making the reforms last.

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