Public service not about personal friendship amid Cabinet reset — PBBM

PERFORMANCE OVER FRIENDSHIP. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. answers questions on good governance and accountability in the first part of the BBM Podcast: Episode 2 aired on Monday (June 16, 2025). Marcos stressed that public service is not about personal friendships and reiterated that his Cabinet and the entire government remain under review. (Photo courtesy: PCO)

By Brian Campued

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterated that his Cabinet and the entire government remain under review—warning officials against complacency, especially with regard to immediately addressing the people’s concerns.

In the first part of the “BBM Podcast: Episode 2” which aired on Monday, the President stressed that government officials are on probation, reminding them to perform their duties and ensure targets are met, or face removal.

“Ayoko talaga ‘yong business as usual kasi ang dami nating problema. Naging problema ‘yan kasi business as usual tayo nang katagal-tagal. Ilang dekada tayong business as usual. Eh ano ang nangyari sa atin?” Marcos said.

He added that part of the rigorous performance review of his Cabinet members is visiting on the ground to check the accuracy of each agency’s progress or accomplishment reports.

“We will be very, very, very conscientious of hitting our targets on time. And that’s the important thing. And that applies not only to the very big legacy projects… Hindi lang ‘yon, kung hindi ‘yong maliliit na bagay,” he added, citing daily struggles Filipinos face such as malfunctioning escalators, slippery stairs, or the lack of proper waste management in some areas.

The Chief Executive also said that public service is not about personal friendships and emphasized that accountability in the government must be quick, just like in the military.

“In the military, kapag sinasabi ito ‘yong gagawin mo, ‘pag [tinanong ka] anong nangyari, [at ang sagot mo ay] hindi ko nagawa kasi gan’yan… out. You’re relieved… Next. And that’s what we should do,” Marcos said.

“We have to be very, very strict. Look, kahit kaibigan kita, mahal kita at lahat, pero hindi mo nagagawa ‘yong trabaho. Hindi naman ito tungkol sa pagkakaibigan o pagmamahal natin sa isa’t isa kung hindi para sa serbisyo para sa tao.”

-jpv

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