From the Sidelines
By: Ray G. Talimio Jr.
Marcos Calls for Cabinet Courtesy Resignations: A Bold Reset Toward Performance and Accountability
In a decisive move that signals a shift in governance tone and direction, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called on all members of his Cabinet to render their courtesy resignations. This official announcement, issued on May 22, 2025, comes in the wake of the recent midterm elections and reflects the administration’s desire to realign its leadership team with the evolving expectations of the Filipino people.
“This is not business as usual,” President Marcos declared in his statement through the Presidential News Desk. “The people have spoken, and they expect results, not politics, not excuses. We hear them, and we will act.”
The request for resignations is not ceremonial. It gives the President a clear opportunity to review the performance, relevance, and alignment of each Cabinet secretary. “This is not about personalities, it’s about performance, alignment, and urgency,” Marcos emphasized. “Those who have delivered and continue to deliver will be recognized. But we cannot afford to be complacent. The time for comfort zones is over.”
While many Cabinet members have served with professionalism and loyalty, the President’s move underscores a transition toward a more focused and accountable administration. The announcement is seen as a move to recalibrate priorities and accelerate delivery amid mounting public demand for real outcomes.
Government services will remain uninterrupted during the transition. Marcos assured the public that the guiding principles for retaining or appointing officials will be stability, continuity, and meritocracy. These are expected to determine who will stay, who will be replaced, and who may be recruited to reinvigorate the executive branch.
Beyond the bureaucratic implications, the move is also a political recalibration. The recent elections revealed shifting public sentiments, especially in the composition of Congress and in key local races. By initiating a reset, Marcos aims to maintain credibility and responsiveness as he enters the second half of his term. It is also a subtle but strategic distancing from factions whose political weight may have diminished, while reaffirming loyalty to public service delivery.
The courtesy resignation directive is not new in Philippine governance, but its application at the Cabinet level underlines its gravity. It invites a new culture of performance review, not just among top-level officials but across the bureaucracy. It sends a clear message to all appointees. You are being watched, not by politics but by the people.
What makes this moment particularly notable is that Marcos is not merely reacting to poor performance or scandal. Rather, he is taking the initiative to restructure from a position of relative strength, which could help avert crises before they take root. It is a leadership gesture that prioritizes foresight over damage control.
If carried out with integrity, the reset could enhance public trust in the administration and restore energy to lagging reform efforts. On the other hand, if the shake-up ends up simply shuffling familiar names or rewarding political allies, it will squander a rare opportunity to demonstrate that accountability is more than a slogan.
President Marcos is taking a calculated risk. But it is one rooted in the reality that politics without results is a losing proposition in the long run. In this pivotal moment, he appears willing to let go of underperformers, realign the executive agenda, and sharpen the focus on urgent national priorities.
The next few weeks will show how serious this reset really is. Will we see new faces with fresh ideas and clean track records? Will the administration bring in professionals with field experience rather than political pedigree? Will reform-minded technocrats find room in a Cabinet long perceived to be a blend of loyalists and carryovers?
Whatever the answers may be, the people are watching and as the President himself acknowledged, they have already spoken.
Sources
Presidential News Desk GOVPH May 22 2025
Philstar Global
Batas PH
Photo Credits
Batas PH
AFP Michael Ngan via Philstar Global
Disclaimer
This article is published for public information and policy dialogue purposes. The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not represent the position of any organization to which the author is affiliated.
About the Author
Ray G Talimio Jr is Past President and Past Chairman of the Board of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc Oro Chamber Co Chairman of the Economic Development Committee of the Regional Development Council Region X Chairman of the MSME Development Council of Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City Chairman of BIMP EAGA for Northern Mindanao and Past Chapter President Past Senior Regional Director and National Officer of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants PICPA He is a regular columnist economic development advocate and adviser on public private engagement for infrastructure and governance reforms
