President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has reshuffled the heads of the Philippines' tax, customs, investment and economic-zone agencies, moving four senior officials into new posts at Malacañan Palace on Friday.

Ariel Nepomuceno moves from the Bureau of Customs to lead the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), while Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza takes over Customs. Finance Undersecretary Rolando Ligon Jr becomes the new BIR chief, and BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua "Jake" Bingcang moves to head the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). Outgoing PEZA Director-General Tereso Panga will serve as executive director of the Toll Regulatory Board.

Mr Marcos administered the oath of office to Mr Nepomuceno, Mr Mendoza and Mr Ligon at the Palace on Friday, according to the Philippine News Agency.

Why the changes were made

Malacañang said the moves were necessary to improve agency performance, boost revenue collection and generate more jobs, with less than two years left in Mr Marcos's term. Palace Press Officer Clarissa Castro said on Friday that the shrinking calendar had not changed the President's goals.

The changes come as the BIR missed its revenue target for the first nine months of the year by 43 billion pesos, according to BusinessWorld. The four agencies at the centre of the reshuffle collect most of the national government's revenue, clear its imports and market its industrial estates.

The Palace moved to reassure businesses and investors that the leadership changes would not disrupt public services or affect investor confidence, saying government agencies operate through coordinated leadership and established systems.

Who moves where

Mr Mendoza's transfer comes exactly one year after he took over the BIR on 13 November 2025. He is returning to the Bureau of Customs, where he previously served as district collector at the Port of Cebu from July 2019 to October 2022. He also served as finance undersecretary for revenue operations, supervising the BIR and Customs. A lawyer who placed third in the 2004 Bar examinations, he is also a licensed geodetic engineer.

"I have always believed that public service means doing our best and doing as much good as we can in the time we are given, wherever we are called to serve. I am honored to accept this new assignment at the Bureau of Customs," Mr Mendoza said in a statement. He added that he would continue the reforms introduced by Mr Nepomuceno and carry out the administration's priorities of strengthening border protection, sustaining revenue collection and facilitating legitimate trade.

Mr Nepomuceno had led Customs since 1 July 2025, after serving as deputy commissioner for enforcement and as head of the disaster risk reduction council. Mr Bingcang has headed the BCDA since June 2023 and worked on projects including New Clark City and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. Mr Ligon previously headed the finance department's Revenue Operations Group and supervised its Revenue Integrity Protection Service, which investigates corruption allegations against revenue officials.

Investment record and a court appointment

Mr Panga said PEZA recorded 315.5 billion pesos in approved investments during his three-year tenure as director-general, surpassing the previous record of 311.9 billion pesos set in 2012.

Mr Marcos also named Commission on Audit Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba as the 196th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Palace announced on Friday.

The reshuffle comes days before the Philippines hosts the 49th ASEAN Summit in Manila from 15 to 17 November, with at least 19 world leaders expected to attend, including US President Donald Trump.