Photo credit: PCO

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken swift and decisive action in addressing one of the most pressing issues within his administration—the inefficiency and self-interest that have long plagued the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

The removal of the Immigration Commissioner is a bold step that not only reflects the President’s seriousness in driving reforms but also sends a clear message to all government officials: serve the people well, or be shown the door.

This move signals that President Marcos is not merely making symbolic gestures—he is committed to meaningful reform. His actions underscore a clear determination to overhaul institutions long mired in inefficiency and self-serving behavior.

By removing the Commissioner, the President is proving that he will take the necessary steps to ensure his administration delivers on its promises of reform, no matter how entrenched these inefficiencies may be.

Justice Secretary Boying Remulla played a pivotal role in this decision. Through his meticulous work and thorough investigation, Remulla provided the President with the complete staff work necessary to make an informed, well-founded decision.

His efforts ensured that the President had all the facts needed to act swiftly and justly. This comprehensive approach facilitated a resolution that not only addressed the immediate scandal but also reinforced the Marcos administration’s commitment to cleaning up the Bureau.

Equally important was the quick and effective communication of the President’s decision by newly appointed Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez. His swift and clear announcement avoided the typical backchanneling and political maneuvering that often accompanies such decisions.

Unlike in past instances, where affected officials’ allies might seek to sway the President’s judgment, the combined efforts of Remulla and Chavez ensured there was no room for interference. The message was unequivocal: no special favors or political bargaining would be tolerated in addressing inefficiencies in public service.

Rumors have long suggested that the former Commissioner had ties to powerful figures, but the President has shown that no amount of political connection will stand in the way of his reform agenda.

We cannot emphasize enough the important role of communications in the whole scheme. We are glad that a veteran communicator like Chavez has been appointed. His presence has amplified the gains of the Marcos administration in this issue—a critical factor that had been lacking prior to his entry.

The swift and effective messaging surrounding this decision, well-coordinated by the two secretaries, reinforced the President’s stance and garnered widespread public support. Thousands of positive comments flooded social media, praising the President for his decisive and no-nonsense approach.

We hope the positive results of this communication effort serve as an example to other departments, ensuring that the good programs of the Marcos administration can effectively reach the people.

This stands in sharp contrast to the failures in messaging surrounding the Pastor Quiboloy and Alice Guo cases, where government efforts were downplayed, and a barrage of criticisms emerged due to poor communication handling. But, as they say, that's another story.

While the removal of the Commissioner is a significant first step, it is crucial for the President to find a credible replacement who embodies the very qualities the former Commissioner lacked.

The next leader of the Bureau of Immigration must be someone who can rebuild the agency and steer it toward its original mandate—protecting the country’s borders and enforcing immigration laws with integrity and professionalism.

We hope that with the help of Remulla, the President can appoint someone who not only restores the public’s trust in the Bureau but also sets an example of the kind of leadership this administration stands for.

President Marcos’ previous warning that "heads will roll" has now been backed by real action.

However, catching this big fish must only be the beginning. The public is now looking to the President for further action against the other inefficient elements Remulla has identified within the Bureau.

The public hopes that President Marcos’ decisive action will extend to other departments and agencies where inefficiency persists. The message that no official is too high-ranking to escape accountability must resonate throughout the government.

The BI’s failures—highlight just how deeply inefficiency and self-interest had taken root. While many immigration personnel are honest and hardworking, the misconduct of a few has tarnished the Bureau’s reputation.

Now, the focus turns to reforming the Bureau itself. The President has shown his willingness to remove officials who prioritize self-interest, but lasting change will require a full overhaul of the institution.

The removal of one official who allowed inefficiency to flourish is a significant start, but only sustained and far-reaching reforms will restore public confidence in the Bureau of Immigration. The time for change is now.

We will be watching developments in the Bureau of Immigration closely to see if the promised reforms are being done or if it will be business as usual—same system but different actors.

Abangan!

Ed Javier

Ed Javier is a veteran communicator with over 34 years of professional experience both in the private and public sectors. He is also an entrepreneur, political analyst, newspaper columnist, broadcast and on-line journalist.