‘This approach would build stronger public trust and support, ensuring President Marcos remains relevant in the 2028 elections.’
IT’S intriguing to ponder President Bongbong Marcos’ recent call for his Cabinet secretaries to submit courtesy resignations, particularly his use of the terms “reassess” and “realign.”
These terms suggest a deliberate and well-thought-out approach to governance after the recent elections. It seems he’s not simply reacting but proactively looking for ways to make the administration more effective and better at serving the public.
When he uses “reassess,” it implies a deep and careful look at how each Cabinet secretary is performing. This suggests the President is taking the time to evaluate the operations of each department and pinpoint areas where improvements can be made.
The term “realign” points to a strategic shift in priorities and objectives. This indicates that the administration is likely adjusting its focus to more effectively meet the needs and expectations of the Filipino people, highlighting the importance of teamwork and unified efforts across government to achieve common goals.
Our nation is certainly grappling with numerous urgent issues. While it can be challenging to decide which to focus on, prioritizing the ones with the most immediate and significant impact appears to be a sensible strategy. Some of the key areas that immediately come to mind include:
• Inflation: Tackling the rising cost of goods and services should be a primary concern as it directly impacts the daily lives of our citizens. Stabilizing prices for essential items can greatly improve their purchasing power and overall well-being.
• Economic Growth: Stimulating the economy through the creation of jobs, the development of infrastructure, and the attraction of foreign investment can provide long-term stability and benefits for all Filipinos.
• Efficient Governance: Improving the way the government operates can lead to quicker completion of projects and better use of public funds, ultimately increasing the satisfaction of the people.
• Anti-Corruption: Fighting corruption is vital for building public trust in the government and ensuring that resources are used effectively for the benefit of the entire nation.
While all these areas are significant, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin rightly emphasized that the country’s economic concerns are paramount.
Just 48 hours after requesting courtesy resignations from his Cabinet secretaries, President Marcos chose to retain his economic team—Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go, and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman—to ensure stability and continuity in the nation’s economic policies.
Sure, here’s a rephrased version:
By prioritizing inflation control and sustaining economic growth, immediate relief can be provided, laying a strong foundation for tackling other challenges in the future.
Effectively addressing these issues, coupled with transparent and open communication with the public, could greatly enhance overall public satisfaction with the Marcos administration. This approach would build stronger public trust and support, ensuring President Marcos remains relevant in the 2028 elections.
Candidly, not all alter egos of President Marcos are lemons; he also appointed gems in his Cabinet. Let’s take a closer look at the performance of some Cabinet secretaries.
On a personal note, I’ve had the privilege of meeting and getting to know three Cabinet secretaries over the years, and I’ve been following their performance with keen interest.
In my opinion, Secretaries Benny Laguesma (DOLE Secretary), Hans Cacdac (DMW Secretary), and Vince Hizon (DOTR Secretary) are all highly capable public servants who demonstrate integrity, competence, and a clear vision for their respective roles.
I had the pleasure of working alongside Secretary Hizon at the Office of Sen. Edgardo J. Angara. My acquaintance with Secretary Laguesma dates back to my time as an Information Attaché, and I crossed paths with Secretary Cacdac during my work at the Office of Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada.
Secretary Laguesma has demonstrated significant progress in improving conditions for workers and expanding employment opportunities. His leadership at the Department of Labor and Employment has been marked by a dedication to enhancing the labor sector through his wealth of experience, collaborative spirit, and adaptability to evolving challenges.
Based on available performance assessments, Secretary Laguesma received a 71.3% rating in the RPMD Foundation Inc.’s “Boses ng Bayan” survey in September 2024. These results generally indicate a positive evaluation of his performance, suggesting effectiveness in his role with potential for further growth. Considering these evaluations, a grade of B to B+ seems fitting, reflecting a strong performance with opportunities for improvement in areas such as addressing the jobs-skills mismatch, expanding digital skills training, promoting green jobs, improving labor conditions in rural areas, and enhancing the youth employment program.
Secretary Cacdac’s initiatives at the Department of Migrant Workers, such as implementing a rights-based approach to protect Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), providing crucial support programs, and developing comprehensive reintegration efforts, have been met with positive feedback.
To evaluate his performance based on these achievements, I would consider the effectiveness of his policy implementation, his responsiveness to the diverse needs of OFWs, and the overall positive impact on the welfare of our migrant workers. Taking these factors into account, I might assign a hypothetical grade of B+ to A-, indicating a strong performance with some areas where further development could be beneficial, particularly in the areas of digitalization and streamlining the process of hiring by foreign companies through its licensed recruitment agencies as well as financial literacy programs for OFWs.
Secretary Hizon’s efforts at the Department of Transportation, including initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency of public transportation, increasing the capacity of our train systems, and enhancing public engagement in transportation planning, have been well-received.
If I were to assess his performance based on these accomplishments, I would consider how effectively his policies have been put into action, his responsiveness to the needs of commuters, and the overall positive changes he has brought to the transportation sector. Considering these aspects, a hypothetical grade in the range of B+ to A- seems appropriate, signifying strong performance with potential for further advancements in areas such as digitalization within the transportation sector and the development of greenway projects.
