President Marcos Declares Officials on Probation
President Marcos has firmly reminded government officials that they are all “on probation,” emphasizing that his administration will no longer accept the “business-as-usual” approach that has hindered public service delivery for decades. This call for a governance reset focuses on results-driven leadership, where meeting targets is essential not only for major infrastructure projects but also for daily public services.
In the latest episode of his weekly podcast titled “Governance and Accountability,” aired on June 16, the President underscored the urgency of timely accomplishments. “We will be very, very conscientious of hitting our targets on time, and that’s the important thing,” he said, stressing that the old mindset has led the country nowhere.
“Ayoko talaga yung ‘business as usual’ kasi ang dami nating problema; naging problema ‘yan kasi ‘business as usual’ tayo nang katagal-tagal,” Marcos declared. He added, “Ilang dekada tayong ‘business as usual.’ Eh anong nangyari sa atin?” pointing out the stagnation caused by complacency over the years.
Accountability Based on Results, Not Relationships
The President warned that failing to meet expectations will have consequences. “Kahit kaibigan kita, mahal kita at lahat, pero hindi mo nagagawa ‘yung trabaho… get out of the way so I can do my job,” he said, making clear that personal ties will not shield underperforming officials.
Marcos also shared that his governance reset involves personally inspecting public projects and facilities. He explained that official reports often look complete and polished but may not reflect reality on the ground. “Makatanggap ka ng report, na sasabihin, natapos namin yung project, ganito yung ginastos namin, may picture na maganda. Pero pag pinuntahan mo, iba. Iba talaga,” he recounted, emphasizing the importance of firsthand verification.
When asked about misleading reports, the President responded, “Marami na,” confirming multiple instances. Thus, he prioritizes direct site visits to ensure transparency and accuracy.
Listening to Citizens’ Feedback
Beyond official reports, Marcos now includes feedback from ordinary citizens in his governance approach. Complaints about long hospital queues, broken public infrastructure, and other everyday issues factor into his decision-making process.
Cracking Down on Complacency with Military Discipline
Comparing his leadership style to the military, Marcos stressed strict discipline and performance standards. “In the military, kapag sinasabi, ‘Eto yung gagawin mo.’ Pag hindi mo nagawa—Out. Relieved. Next,” he said, highlighting a no-excuse policy.
He added, “Hindi mo pala kaya, sige palitan kita. Hanap tayo ng mas magaling,” showing readiness to replace those who fail to deliver. The President reiterated that officials who cannot contribute to his goals should step aside. “Whatever ‘get out of the way’ means—you’re fired or ifu-floating ka, o ililipat ka sa ibang part of the government,” he said firmly.
Marcos also noted that many replacements have already occurred during the first three years of his term, though not all were made public.
Attention to Small but Vital Everyday Issues
The President emphasized that governance reset goes beyond flagship projects. Addressing everyday concerns like missing trash bins, broken escalators, and unsafe staircases is equally important.
“Hindi lang ‘yung legacy project ang tinitingnan natin… dapat pag naglalakad ka, may nakita kang walang basurahan dito, dapat lagyan ng basurahan,” Marcos explained, underscoring the need for practical improvements.
He cited his inspection of the San Juanico Bridge, where locals reportedly waited up to three days just to cross. “Those are the things that we still have to pay attention to, and that’s every day,” he added. “Hindi mo puwedeng sabihin, ‘Oh, naayos ko na,’ tapos iiwanan mo.”
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