Marcos Presidency Cleans House

MAY 27,2025

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s bold directive ordering all Cabinet members to submit courtesy resignations marks a defining moment in his administration. Now three years into his term, this unexpected move signals a possible pivot from complacency to concrete action—and potentially a turning point that could either revive or ruin his presidency.

Known for his consensus-building style, Marcos surprised many with this sweeping shake-up. It’s a move that required grit and a rare show of political courage, one that could redefine his legacy—if he stays the course. But let’s be clear: cleaning the house means more than reshuffling seats. It demands removing the corrupt, the incompetent, and yes, even the loyalists who’ve fallen short of public expectations.

Marcos Presidency A High-Stakes Cabinet Revamp

The early signs are mixed. Some major changes have already been announced: Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga has been let go, while Housing Secretary Jerry Acuzar and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo are being reassigned. Yet, five key members of the economic team remain, raising questions about what criteria were used in deciding who stays and who goes.

Marcos emphasized that “the public expects results—not politics, not excuses.” His words point to a broader goal: realigning the government with the people’s needs. But for this Cabinet revamp to succeed, it must go beyond surface-level adjustments. Filipinos deserve transparency and accountability. Were the new appointees selected for their qualifications—or their political ties?

Marcos Presidency Mandate Is Fading

This shake-up also serves as a quiet admission that the Marcos administration has fallen short. Despite a landslide win in 2022 and historic levels of campaign spending, the promise of change has largely gone unfulfilled. Basic services like education, healthcare, and housing remain in crisis.

According to the latest Stratbase-SWS survey, 55% of Filipino families now consider themselves poor—a sobering reminder that economic hardship is worsening. Hunger, joblessness, and poor public service continue to plague the country, even with high government spending under programs like Tupad and 4Ps. For many, the benefits never came.

Governance Must Be Results-Driven

If Marcos truly wants to restore faith in his leadership, he must champion performance-based governance. Agency heads should be held accountable not just for their plans, but for their results. This becomes especially urgent with a proposed ₱11 trillion national budget for 2026—a record high that will test both the administration’s priorities and its credibility.

Budget Undersecretary Goddes Libiran noted that the executive branch is vetting these proposals for alignment with the Philippine Development Plan. But without true reform, ballooning budgets may simply fund more inefficiency and corruption.

A Coalition on the Edge

Politics threatens to derail the plan. Marcos’ ruling coalition suffered losses in the recent midterm elections and failed to secure a Senate majority. Vice President Sara Duterte’s allies gained ground, while opposition groups are regaining strength in Congress. With Duterte facing impeachment and public dissatisfaction rising, the Marcos presidency risks losing momentum—or worse, credibility.

Still, the bigger crisis isn’t just political—it’s moral.

How can a government claim good governance when it fails to feed its people, educate its children, or create real opportunities for the less fortunate? Marcos must confront the uncomfortable truth: many of the country’s deepest problems are rooted in mismanagement and corruption at the top.

Will He Walk the Talk?

This is where it gets personal. Will Marcos be willing to let go of underperforming Cabinet officials—even if they are his allies, friends, or loyal supporters? Will he resist the urge to protect his inner circle and instead prioritize the Filipino people?

To his credit, the President declared: “The time for comfort zones is over.” Now he must back that up with action—swift, decisive, and principled.

This Cabinet reorganization may be his last and best chance to reclaim the direction of his presidency. It’s an opportunity to move away from transactional politics and embrace authentic leadership—one grounded in accountability, transparency, and public service.

If he fails, the country risks three more years of drift and dysfunction. But if he succeeds, Marcos could finally match his words with real reform—and that might just restore the public’s hope. NOWTREND

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