So as not to disrupt government operations and decision-making, the Cabinet recalibration and shake-up must be done swiftly, but with proper selection of potential best and brightest for top positions, the business community urged President Marcos Jr.
In a statement published by the Star, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry emphasized the importance of finding competent leaders and announcing new appointments without delay to prevent uncertainty and instability that could disrupt economic activity.
The PCCI said it was surprised by the call for courtesy resignation of the entire Cabinet as it had noted that the department heads had been performing relatively well in managing the economy.
But the outcome of the midterm elections– where Alyansa candidates won only half of the coveted 12 senatorial seats– indicated the unhappiness and disappointment of the voters at large and which the President blamed for underperformance and inability of some Cabinet members to meet their targets.
“We hope that the courtesy resignations will bring in accountable and merit-based appointments,” PCCI said as it expressed hope that Cabinet officials who delivered and performed well would retain their positions and their reappointments be done “at the soonest time possible to avoid uncertainty and instability so as not to derail the economic continuity.”
FOCUS ON ECONOMY
As the country is trying to attract more investments with the passage of the CREATE MORE Act and the Public-Private Partnership Code, which the PCCI said are important to sustain economic growth and investor confidence.
The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) expressed support for Marcos’ Cabinet reset and that it hopes the President will find the appropriate talents for those he decides to replace to execute his plans.
MAP President Alfredo Panlilio said a CEO needs to make difficult calls, such as replacing talents, with the primary objective of improving the performance of the organization. “Leadership involves making difficult decisions in the interest of establishing meritocracy and encouraging performance.”
Calixto Chikiamco, president of the Foundation for Economic Freedom said the Cabinet reshuffle may be part of Marcos’ strategy to focus on the economy in the remaining years of his term.
[T]he President should appoint… people who have unquestionable integrity and loyalty to him and his administration, who as alter ego can deliver their respective mandates to the people that we serve…
SENATORS FAVOR RESET
Senators generally welcomed Marcos’ call for his Cabinet’s courtesy resignation with Senate President Francis Escudero saying “I expressed support for the President’s call to set aside politics and focus on the needs of our people. I am thankful that he has acknowledged that there is a problem, displayed sensitivity to the sentiments of our countrymen, and humbly taken responsibility by addressing it and demanding accountability from the Cabinet tasked with implementing the vital programs of this administration.”
But Escudero warned the President to steer clear of “reckless allies” and distance himself from people who squandered his goodwill and burned through his political capital for selfish ends.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said he finds sensibility to the President’s initiative in pursuit of assembling a leadership team that can deliver efficient, accountable, and responsive governance.
“As Chief Executive and appointing authority, he is simply exercising his discretion as provided under the Constitution. It’s a step in the right direction, as it appears to be part of a genuine reform effort to restore the people’s trust in our institutions,” Estrada said.
A GREAT MOVE
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III called the reset “a great move by the President,” which “allows him to regroup his team while sparing those to be affected from ‘intrigues.’”
“I urge the President to recruit those who still have idealism in them, and those who will focus on the success of his administration, by being more efficient and effective in helping the Filipino people – and not focused on their own political ambitions,” Pimentel said.
Senators JV Ejercito and Sherwin Gatchalian said it would impress on his officials that “they have to be on their toes from now on” and this should prompt them to reflect on their own performance. They should be reminded that it is the public which the government truly serves.”
At the Kapihan sa Senado, outgoing senator (incoming Makati mayor) Nancy Binay said the revamp should not affect the status of pending government projects.
“Cabinet secretaries serve at the pleasure of the President. I just hope for a speedy process in replacing Cabinet secretaries, because my concern is government programs may be delayed because of the courtesy resignations.”
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the President should appoint to the Cabinet people who have “unquestionable integrity and loyalty to him and his administration, who as alter ego can deliver their respective mandates to the people that we serve and will not think twice in condemning Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea and defend him on other national issues thrown against him and his administration.”
LGUs BACK SHAKE-UP
The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), led by JB Bernos, voiced support for the Cabinet shake-up saying “if LGUs conduct periodic performance reviews, so should the national government, especially of those entrusted to bring the President’s vision to reality.”
Bernos said Marcos should consider how each department has collaborated or supported municipalities in the past three years, as national-local partnerships strengthen governance in the country.
Former presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said “for me it’s a positive decision. Normally, you don’t change horses midstream but a number of factors would tend to suggest that it’s a good move on the part of the president. First, it is refreshing.”
Fr. Jerome Secillano, of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, was more critical of the President and that he should not blame the Cabinet for his administration’s dismal performance for three years.
“President Marcos should be reminded that if the head truly works, everything else follows,” he said in an interview with church-run Radyo Veritas.
Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna thinks that the President’s resignation call is a “mere political maneuver rather than a genuine effort to address the nation’s pressing issues.”