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MANILA, Philippines — On the heels of President Marcos’ call for the resignation of his top officials, business groups yesterday emphasized the importance of finding competent leaders and announcing new appointments without delay to prevent uncertainty and instability that could disrupt economic activity.
In a statement, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said Marcos’ call for the courtesy resignation of Cabinet secretaries was surprising as the administration had been performing relatively well in managing the economy.
“We hope that the courtesy resignations will bring in accountable and merit-based appointments,” the group said.
The PCCI expressed hope that Cabinet officials who have delivered and performed well would be retained and appointments would “be done the soonest possible time to avoid uncertainty and instability and so as not to derail economic continuity.”
As the country is trying to attract more investments with the passage of the CREATE MORE Act and the Public-Private Partnership Code, the PCCI said it is important to continue to foster economic growth and investor confidence.
The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), for its part, has expressed support for Marcos’ Cabinet reset.
“We understand the President’s actions and intentions as this happens in business and the private sector. A CEO needs to make difficult calls, such as replacing talents, with the primary objective of improving the performance of the organization,” MAP president Alfredo Panlilio said.
He said leadership involves making difficult decisions in the interest of establishing meritocracy and encouraging performance.
“We hope the President will find the appropriate talents for those he decides to replace – people who can effectively execute his government’s plans,” he said.
“We trust that capable, proactive and committed individuals will be empowered and work together as a cohesive team to execute the nation’s plans to uplift the lives of all Filipinos and move us closer to the outcomes our people deserve,” he added.
Foundation for Economic Freedom president Calixto Chikiamco said in a Viber message that the move to reshuffle the Cabinet may be part of Marcos’ strategy to focus on the economy in the remaining years of his term.
Senators in favor
Senators generally welcomed Marcos’ call for the resignation of his officials. “Earlier this week, 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 those tasked with implementing the vital programs of the administration: the members of his Cabinet,” Senate President Francis Escudero said.
But Escudero also warned the President to steer clear of “reckless allies.”
“The President’s course correction must include his entire political house, starting with his own backyard. He must distance himself from reckless allies who squandered his goodwill and burned through his political capital for selfish ends,” he added.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said he finds the President’s initiative sensible “especially if such a move is in pursuit of assembling a leadership team that can deliver efficient, accountable, and responsive governance.”
“As the 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.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III called the revamp “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.
Sen. JV Ejercito lauded the President’s move, saying it would impress on his officials that “they have to be on their toes from now on.”
“I support the President’s call for the courtesy resignation of all his Cabinet members and this should prompt them to reflect on their own performance. They should be reminded: it is the public which the government truly serves,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said.
At the Kapihan sa Senado forum yesterday, outgoing senator now Makati mayor-elect Nancy Binay said the revamp should not affect the status of pending government projects.
“At the end of the day, 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,” Binay said.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers also hailed the President’s move. “I believe he should appoint to the Cabinet people who have unquestionable integrity and loyalty to him and his administration… people who as his 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,” Barbers said.
“It is now timely that he come up with new marching orders to implement a reinvigorated system of governance with certain innovations that will be appreciated by the masses. The President is on the right track. And he must act promptly and decisively in order to preserve the gains of his administration,” he said.
The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) also voiced support for Marcos’ move.
“If local government units do conduct periodic performance reviews, so should the national government, especially of those entrusted to bring the President’s vision to reality,” said LMP national president JB Bernos.
In appointing officials, Bernos said Marcos should consider how each department has collaborated or supported municipalities in the past three years. He emphasized that national-local partnerships strengthen governance in the country.
Former presidential spokesman Edwin Lacieerda said the President made the right decision in setting the stage for a Cabinet revamp.
“For me it’s a positive decision on the part of the president. 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,” Lacierda said in an interview with “Storycon” on One News.
Fr. Jerome Secillano, of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said the President should not blame his Cabinet secretaries for his administration’s dismal performance in the past three years.
“President Marcos should be reminded that if the head truly works, everything else follows,” he said in an interview over the church-run Radyo Veritas.
For Bayan Muna executive vice president Carlos Isagani Zarate, the President’s resignation call appears to be a “mere political maneuver rather than a genuine effort to address the nation’s pressing issues.” — Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Jose Rodel Clapano, Evelyn Macairan, Artemio Dumlao
