Malacañang has designated Bernie Ferrer Cruz as acting secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed this move by the executive branch in a message to Malacañang reporters Saturday, Oct. 30.
Roque said Cruz's appointment paper was signed by President Duterte last Oct. 28.
Cruz will take over the helm from former DAR Secretary John Castricones, who earlier this month filed his candidacy for senator in the upcoming May 2022 elections.
Castricones will run under the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) banner. Duterte chairs the party.
"We are confident that Acting Secretary Cruz will continue to oversee the completion of DAR’s programs and projects in the remaining months of the current government. We wish Acting Secretary Cruz all the best in his new assignment," Roque's message read.
Click here to read about the other recent appointments in President Duterte's Cabinet.