In a country long burdened by political patronage and systemic corruption, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. boldly called on all cabinet secretaries to submit courtesy resignations.
More than a routine formality, this move challenges government leaders to reset their moral compass.
Mayor Benjamin “Benjie” Magalong strongly supports this initiative, calling it a pivotal moment that should inspire real, lasting reforms to hold officials accountable and restore public trust.
“As a public servant and advocate for good governance, I welcome President Bongbong Marcos’ call for courtesy resignations of cabinet secretaries, viewing it as a demonstration of his commitment to reform,” Magalong said.
Although presidents traditionally use courtesy resignations to reorganize their cabinets, Marcos’ call comes amid increasing public demand for transparency, accountability, and meaningful change.
“When we met in 2018, prior to the filing of his candidacy for the presidency, he expressed his desire to redeem his father’s name,” the mayor said.
But he stresses that resignations alone cannot dismantle entrenched corruption.
Needed reforms
Magalong urges the administration to implement structural reforms that tackle the root causes of graft and inefficiency.
He calls on the government to abolish congressional pork barrel allocations in key executive agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Health (DOH) to ensure transparent and accountable spending.
Magalong also urges officials to shield departmental appointments—especially in frontline agencies—from political interference so merit and professionalism guide leadership choices.
Just like other leaders, he demands an end to illicit “percentage” schemes where corrupt officials take kickbacks from public projects and insists the government ensure full transparency in procurement and bidding to stop rigged contracts that benefit corrupt politicians and their relatives.
The mayor also calls on prosecutors to swiftly and impartially pursue corrupt officials and urges lawmakers to relinquish control over social assistance and scholarship programs such as AKAP, AICS, MAIP, TUPAD, CHED, and TESDA, so these vital resources reach the people without partisan influence.
“While call for courtesy resignations is a welcome start, it is crucial that we continue to push for meaningful and GENUINE reforms. By working together, we can make Good Governance the standard in public service, prioritizing the welfare of the Filipino people above all else,” Magalong said.
As the current administration begins its reform journey, Magalong adds vital momentum to the nationwide push for transparency, accountability, and a government truly dedicated to serving its people with integrity.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.