By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
All heads of agencies and offices will continue to serve and still have the chance to improve their work performance until President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. makes a final decision, Malacañang said Thursday, following the presidential directive for their mass resignations.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing, “Mananatili sila sa kanilang posisyon. Siguro ito ‘yong tamang panahon na dapat ipakita nila na dapat silang manatili sa kanilang posisyon. Pero kapag nakita talaga ng Pangulo na hindi mo deserve ang iyong posisyon, you will be out.”
Castro said the filing of courtesy resignations covers Cabinet secretaries, heads of agencies with Cabinet rank, other heads of agencies, and presidential advisers and assistants.
This, as the Palace official revealed that Marcos had expressed frustration over the seemingly unsatisfactory performance of some of his Cabinet, as reflected by the results of the midterm elections.
Castro said the failure to reach the President’s target for full victory of the administration-backed “Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas” Senate slate in the May 12 midterm elections signifies public dismay over the government’s performance.
“Aminado ang Pangulo na kulang sa kaniyang paningin, nakulangan siguro ang taumbayan sa naging performance ng gobyerno kaya hindi nakuha ang pinaka-target na numero, especially sa Senado,” she said, referring to Marcos’ target of 11-0 win for the Alyansa ticket in the senatorial race.
“Pero kahit ano pa man iyan, kung ano man ang maging resulta, ganito pa rin dapat ang gawin ng ating Pangulo, mas mapabilis pa rin ang performance ng administrasyon. ‘Yon po talaga ang nais ng Pangulo.”
Castro said the ongoing performance review would help Marcos assess the Cabinet members and know if they are involved in corrupt activities, “Mas [matitingnan] din nila kung nagkakaroon ba ng isyu ng anomalya sa kanilang pagha-handle ng kanilang agency.”
