Marcos’ call for resignations will weed out the lazy, the corrupt – Palace
President Marcos on Monday signs into law the bills that grant additional benefits to Filipino elderlies and promote Philippine-made products. The ceremony in Malacañang was witnessed by Former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (third from left) and House Speaker Martin Romualdez (third from right). (Picture from MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang dismissed any impression that the government might become unstable due to the courtesy resignations ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for all cabinet secretaries.
During a briefing on Thursday, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro described the move as just a way of weeding out underperforming officials who may no longer be aligned with the administration’s current priorities.
“The public should be more pleased because the president is showing that there is no place in the government, in the administration, for the lazy and the corrupt,” Castro said.
“It is better and the public should accept that these officials [will] be replaced by those who are deserving of the position,” she noted.
READ: Marcos orders courtesy resignation of all Cabinet secretaries
Asked whether or not this was Marcos’ way of showing a formidable kind of leadership, Castro responded in the affirmative.
“Yes. This is just the beginning,” she said.
READ: Marcos on erring officials: `I want to be respected but fear is better’
Moreover, Castro responded to Senator-elect Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s suggestion that Marcos should have a “bastonero” or a disciplinarian in the last three years of his term to help ensure that government officials would follow the president’s lead.
Castro said, however, that Marcos would not need one as he could keep things in order.
Earlier in the day, the Presidential News Desk issued a press release announcing Marcos’ order.
The president was quoted as saying, “It’s time to realign government with the people’s expectations.”
“This is not business as usual,” Marcos stressed.
“The people have spoken, and they expect results — not politics, not excuses. We hear them, and we will act,” he promised./apl
