MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has rejected calls from critics for him to resign from office, following his directive for the resignation of his Cabinet members.

In a statement, Marcos questioned the rationale behind such demands, asserting, "I will resign?

Bakit ko gagawin 'yun?

Wala sa ugali ko ang tinatakbuhan ang problema," indicating that it is not in his nature to avoid challenges.

He emphasized that the call for courtesy resignations aims to recalibrate the administration after the recent midterm elections, asserting that such actions are not merely for optics but to scrutinize the performance of each Cabinet member.

Furthermore, Marcos affirmed his commitment to selling rice at a price of P20 per kilogram, a promise made during his campaign.

He stated, "Watch me sustain it," asserting that his administration has identified methods to fulfill this promise, allowing for continued support to farmers before reducing rice prices.

The Department of Agriculture commenced this initiative in the Visayas region and plans to extend it to Mindanao.

In response to declining trust ratings, which stand at 32%, Marcos has downplayed the significance of survey results in assessing his performance.

He cautioned against relying on a single survey source, emphasizing the importance of considering various polls and their origins.

In a significant move towards restructuring, Marcos has mandated 168 officials from government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to submit their courtesy resignations.

This directive, issued by the Governance Commission for GOCCs, applies to chief executive officers and members of governing boards across various state-owned enterprises, including the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

The President retains the discretion to maintain, dismiss, or replace these officials as deemed necessary.

The Philippine Senate has announced preparations for an impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, set to begin on June 2. Following the reading of the Articles of Impeachment, it is expected that the trial will commence as Congress reconvenes.

Recent surveys indicate that 50% of respondents oppose the impeachment proceedings, yet representatives have affirmed that these results will not alter the prosecution's mandate.

As the impeachment trial approaches, there are discussions about the potential impact of Senate rules concerning ongoing proceedings, particularly as the 19th Congress is scheduled to adjourn soon.

Some senators have noted conflicting interpretations regarding whether the trial can progress into the next Congress, introducing uncertainty into the proceedings.

In light of these developments, calls have been made by various stakeholders to retain key figures within the administration, highlighting a divided perception of the proposed changes within Marcos's government.