MANILA, Philippines — Secretary Jose Rizalino “Jerry” Acuzar has stepped down from his role as head of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for courtesy resignations from all Cabinet secretaries and key officials.
The move is part of a sweeping reorganization effort in the wake of the 2025 midterm elections, which the administration described as a “performance recalibration” aimed at enhancing governance.
Secretary Acuzar, who spearheaded the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program — an ambitious initiative targeting the construction of six million housing units by 2028 — submitted his resignation on May 22, 2025, in line with the President’s directive. As of this writing, the DHSUD leadership position remains vacant.
While there is speculation about the potential appointment of younger officials to key positions in order to speed up the government’s housing initiatives, no official replacement has been announced, and the Palace has not confirmed such plans.
The courtesy resignation directive also applies to presidential advisers and assistants, signaling a broader restructuring effort by Malacañang to ensure alignment with the administration’s development goals.
