MANILA, Philippines — The month-long power struggle at the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) that has adversely affected day-to-day postal operations has come to an end.

Luis Carlos has unseated former Quezon City councilor Michael Planas as postmaster general and PHLPost CEO after being unanimously re-elected by the Board of Directors which is now headed by its new chairman, former Court of Appeals Justice Stephen Cruz.

The members of the PHLPost Board of Directors re-elected Carlos on August 15 during a special board meeting.

PHLPost is a government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC) in which the postmaster general and chairman shall be appointed to its governing board and nominated by the President of the Philippines while the CEO is confirmed and elected annually by the members of the board, consistent with Republic Act 10149.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named Carlos as acting postmaster general and member of the PHLPost Board of Directors last March 28, 2023. He assumed office as the new postmaster general and CEO on April 3, 2023.

However, in May 2024, President Marcos appointed Planas as chairman of the PHLPost Board of Directors which subsequently elected him as its new postmaster general and CEO at the annual election last June 18.

On July 16, the President reaffirmed the appointment of Carlos as postmaster general and CEO of PHLPost.

Marcos also expressed his desire that Director Cruz be elected as chairman of the Board.

This issue concerning leadership, particularly as to who the legitimate postmaster general and CEO is, has caused demoralization, division and distrust among employees, according to senior officials and managers at PHLPost.

The re-election of Carlos as postmaster general and CEO by the PHLPost Board last August 15 ended the confusion and, together with newly appointed PHLPost Board member Ricardo R. Blancaflor,were sworn-in by the chairman of Pasay City's Village 191 Zone 20, Ronaldo Cantores on Friday.