President Marcos names new PLLO, PCUP heads

MANILA, Philippines — Following the reorganization of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO), President Marcos has named Adrian Carlos Bersamin as the new head of the office, tasked to promote presidential initiatives in Congress and facilitate communication between the executive and legislative branches.

Bersamin will have the rank of undersecretary, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

“With his proven leadership and steadfast dedication to public service, Usec. Bersamin is set to steer the PLLO toward stronger stakeholder partnerships and more responsive policy coordination in support of the administration’s legislative agenda,” the PCO said in a social media post on Saturday.

On July 16, President Marcos issued Executive Order 90, transferring the PLLO to the supervision and control of the Office of the Executive Secretary.

“It is imperative to reorganize the PLLO to streamline and rationalize its functions consistent with the rightsizing policy of the administration towards bureaucratic coherence, and to enable the PLLO to more effectively and efficiently deliver the President’s legislative agenda for the country,” EO 90 said.

The PLLO head will be assisted by two assistant secretaries, one for the Senate and one for the House of Representatives.

Previously, the presidential adviser on legislative affairs was ranked as secretary and was assisted by two undersecretaries.

In June, Marcos accepted the courtesy resignation of former presidential adviser on legislative affairs Mark Llandro Mendoza.

Gonzales named PCUP head

Meanwhile, the President has named former Taguig City councilor Michelle Anne Baluyut Gonzales as the new chairperson of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor.

The PCUP is mandated to promote the urban poor’s interests and welfare, particularly in matters involving housing, basic services and participatory governance.

Gonzales replaced Meynardo Sabili. She took her oath as PCUP chief before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin at Malacañang last Friday.

“As I took my oath as chairperson of Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, I am reminded to trust God’s plan and wholeheartedly accept the mission entrusted to me. I pray to serve well and honor the trust given by our President – always with our hope of bringing dignity and a brighter future to our poor brothers and sisters,” Gonzales posted on Facebook.

It was Gonzales’ second appointment to the commission under the Marcos administration.

Gonzales was named commissioner of the PCUP in 2024.