MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. issued a warning to underperforming government officials, declaring that he will not hesitate to remove them from their posts, regardless of personal ties, if they fail to deliver results aligned with the administration’s goals.
Speaking during his weekly podcast, the President emphasized the need for accountability and results-oriented governance, especially as his administration accelerates efforts on infrastructure, agriculture, and public service delivery.
“We have to be very, very strict. Look, kahit kaibigan kita, mahal kita at lahat, pero hindi mo nagagawa yung trabaho, eh. Hindi naman ito tungkol sa pagkakaibigan o pagmamahal natin sa isa’t isa kung hindi para sa serbisyo para sa tao,” Marcos said.
He added that ineffective officials should step aside to allow those who are committed and competent to do the work.
“Ako, trabaho ito. If you’re not helping, get out of the way. Kung ‘di mo kami tutulungan, umalis ka na lang dito. Gawin mo ang gusto mong gawin pero pabayaan mo kami magtrabaho. That’s my attitude all the time,” he said.
Marcos clarified that “getting out of the way” may come in different forms — reassignment, floating status, or outright dismissal.
“So whatever ‘get out of the way’ means — you’re fired or ifu-floating ka, o ililipat ka sa ibang part of the government, whatever it is, just get out of the way so I can do my job,” he said.
The President also expressed frustration with the “business-as-usual” mentality that continues to plague parts of the bureaucracy, vowing to focus not only on flagship programs but also on solving everyday problems that affect ordinary citizens.
“Ngayon, talagang we will be very, very conscientious of hitting our targets on time… hindi lang yun, kung pati mga maliliit na bagay… dapat lagyan ng basurahan…bBakit ‘yung hagdan hindi maayos, madulas, baka may masaktan. Bakit yung escalator natin hindi gumagana, paano aakitin ng mga matatanda dyan?” he remarked.
Marcos further revealed plans to ramp up unannounced site visits, citing a recurring disconnect between field realities and formal reports submitted to his office.
“At any level of government, it’s very different to receive…you receive a report, there’s nice photos, pero pagpinuntahan mo, iba. Iba talaga,” he said. “Alam mo na ‘yung taong ‘yun hindi nagsisinungaling sa iyo. The other side is binola ako ng mga lokong ito.”
He concluded by stressing the importance of personal inspection, as some reports come from unreliable sources.
“Kung alam mo na itong mga ‘to…hindi reliable, maghanap tayo ng iba. So it’s still important to go and see things for yourself,” Marcos said./PN
