President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. instructed his appointed officials to step aside if they cannot contribute to his efforts in attaining the objectives he has established for the nation.
In Part 1 of the BBM Podcast: Episode 2 uploaded by Malacañang on Monday, Marcos expressed his frustration over getting inaccurate achievement reports regarding governmental initiatives.
"I really want to run the country more easily. I'll go down to the people to feel what they feel. Maybe it's easier to think of something or to think of the solution to ease the life of every citizen," he said in English and Filipino.
When asked whether his trips around the nation to examine various local government offices and infrastructure projects were due to underachieving officials, the President responded: “At every governmental tier, receiving reports can be quite distinct—you get a document stating ‘the task was completed; here’s our expenditure,’ accompanied by an attractive image. However, upon visiting these sites yourself, things appear entirely dissimilar. The reality aligns with the accurate and positive content of those documents. Thus, you understand that whoever submitted them wasn’t deceiving you.”
"There’s another perspective where I say to myself ‘Those people defeated me.’ You understand that they can’t be trusted, so let’s look for others instead. This is precisely why it remains crucial to experience things firsthand,” he noted.
Marcos acknowledged that previously he had to dismiss officials who made mistakes, though he kept these incidents private.
"The number was high. However, we chose not to publicize it. In my view, this is all part of the job. If you can’t contribute, step aside. If you’re unwilling to assist us, then leave," stated the president.
"Follow your desires, but stay away from us. This has always been my stance. Therefore, regardless of what ‘step aside’ implies—whether you’re terminated, laid off, or reassigned within the government—I simply need everyone to move out of my path so I can perform my duties,” he stated.
He emphasized that serving the public extends beyond personal relationships and family ties, and he cautioned public servants that they are under constant scrutiny with their performance continually assessed.
In last May, the president, feeling let down as the strategies outlined under his leadership were hardly coming into fruition, requested the ceremonial resignations from members of his cabinet along with leaders of state-run enterprises (GOCCs).
He emphasized that those who do not perform will be let go, irrespective of whether he has a strong connection with them.
“Listen, you’re my friend and I care about you deeply, but right now, you’re not meeting expectations. We need to focus on the work we’re doing for the people rather than letting personal feelings cloud our judgment,” the president stated.
The administration has mentioned that the effectiveness of high-ranking officials within the executive department will remain under scrutiny, with additional updates expected over the next few days concerning confirmations, dismissals, and newly assigned positions.
Earlier, Marcos stated that he would be "significantly stricter when assessing the performance" not only for high-ranking officers but also for those holding positions right down to the most junior appointed roles. This ensures duties are carried out effectively and public services reach citizens as intended.