• Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has requested the resignation of his entire Cabinet after election setbacks.
• The midterm elections saw a loss for his endorsed candidates, prompting calls for a government "reset."
• 21 Cabinet members have either resigned or indicated their willingness to do so as part of this overhaul.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked all Cabinet secretaries to submit their resignations in what is characterized as a "bold reset" of his administration. This directive follows disappointing results for his party in the recent midterm elections, where only five of his ten endorsed candidates won Senate seats, eliciting concerns about his leadership effectiveness, according to Reuters and IndiaTimes.

In a recent statement, Marcos emphasized that this move is "not about personalities" but focuses on "performance, alignment, and urgency." He pointed out the need for substantial improvements in government output, asserting that "the time for comfort zones is over." The request for resignations aims to permit a thorough evaluation of each department's performance amidst mounting public dissatisfaction, particularly in light of inflation concerns and a perceived failure to fulfill electoral promises, reports Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

Analysts believe that this change is also a strategic maneuver to restore Marcos' popularity and regain public trust following the election defeat. Political analysts have noted that mass Cabinet resignations often follow crises in Philippine politics, hinting that this action might serve as an attempt to realign priorities within his administration. Profound electoral losses have also raised questions about his administration's future trajectory, as rival factions, particularly those aligned with Vice President Sara Duterte, have gained increased power, according to IndiaTimes, Channel News Asia, and South China Morning Post.

With at least 21 Cabinet members reportedly having resigned or agreed to do so, the presidential palace has assured that government services will remain uninterrupted during this transitional phase. Observers are keeping a close watch on the fate of economic advisors and other critical officials as these developments unfold, emphasizing the importance of improving governance amidst pressing challenges like food security and inflation, as echoed by Reuters and South China Morning Post.