Photo credit: DBM

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has officially stepped down — a move she says is driven not by pressure, but by her desire to safeguard the integrity of public service and help the country “move forward with clarity and unity.”

In her resignation statement dated November 17, Pangandaman said she tendered her irrevocable resignation after much reflection. She thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the trust and for giving her the opportunity to serve, and expressed deep gratitude to her DBM family and all government and private partners who worked with her throughout her tenure.

Looking back on her three and a half years in office, Pangandaman highlighted major reforms she helped push — from the New Government Procurement Act and the institutionalization of the Philippine Open Government Partnership, to the modernization of public financial systems, blockchain-enabled budget tracking, and the revival of Project DIME.

She also noted investments in education, social protection, climate resilience, BARMM’s transition, support for women and peace programs, and improved benefits for government workers.

As the first Muslim and only Filipina Muslim member of the Marcos Cabinet, Pangandaman called her service as Budget Secretary “the greatest honor of my life.” She said she hopes the reforms built under her leadership continue to strengthen transparency, accountability, and peace.

She ended her message with a prayer for the nation and a promise to continue supporting President Marcos Jr. in her private capacity, reaffirming her commitment to serve the Filipino people, especially Mindanao.

Meanwhile, at the Department of Budget and Management, Undersecretary Rolando Toledo has been designated Officer in Charge following Pangandaman’s departure.