Photo credit: PCO

In just two weeks, two key members of President Bongbong Marcos’s cabinet were replaced.

Both resigned, citing various reasons—a graceful exit, to put it bluntly.

However, the reality is that all of the President’s appointees should have the decency to step aside when their time is up. What’s truly surprising is that there should have been more removals. Yet, some continue to cling to their posts, lacking “delicadeza” and becoming liabilities to the President.

Having been in office for nearly three years, the chief executive should be fully aware of which cabinet members are underperforming and acting as dead weight in his administration.

The truth is, many of the President’s appointees have been tested and found wanting. It would serve BBM’s best interests if they chose to leave voluntarily.

But if these indifferent surrogates refuse to make the ultimate sacrifice, then BBM must act decisively. He must show true leadership and fire them immediately.

Whatever political debts BBM may owe his appointees have already been repaid. It’s time for him to conduct a thorough review of his cabinet and ensure that, in the remainder of his term, he appoints individuals who can help him secure a lasting and impactful legacy.

At the start of his term, the nation was led to believe that BBM’s appointees were the best and brightest—individuals who excelled in their fields and selflessly answered the call to serve their country.

Unfortunately, many have failed to meet those expectations, and the disappointments have come full circle, ultimately reflecting poorly on none other than the appointing authority himself.

The President has repeatedly outlined his vision for the country—his plans to ensure economic, social, and political stability. Yet, far too many of his cabinet members have failed to follow through, leaving his administration’s efforts without substance or direction.

Politically, BBM is paying the price for the ineptitude of many of his cabinet members. A significant portion of his recent decline in trust and performance ratings can be directly linked to this failure.

If BBM is still waiting for his top men to quit voluntarily, with all due respect, all evidence suggests he is fooling himself.

The nation’s interests are at stake, and the time has come for him to show true political resolve—to do what is necessary, free from the constraints of friendship and loyalty.

Cabinet members are meant to execute the President’s directives. When the President announces his policies, it is their duty to make those plans a reality.

But that is not happening. BBM speaks, his cabinet ignores, and they remain inept at turning his directives into action.

The last three years of complacency and failure must come to an end. The nation is suffering. BBM is suffering. Only by removing these underperforming officials can he begin to undo the damage caused by their appointments.

We all want President Marcos to succeed. He is our leader, and whatever his administration achieves, the country stands to benefit.

I have no qualms with those close to the President who say he is kind, and that firing his men—especially those who deserve to be axed—is not in his character.

But this is no longer about the President being Mr. Congeniality. It is about doing what’s right—not just because his job requires it, but because, as our leader, we expect him to make tough decisions. This should be one of them.

Just the other day, a spokesperson for the President remarked that BBM would evaluate whether, despite the recent cabinet revamp, further changes are necessary.

For someone known to be conflict-averse, this is a telling statement.

But from where we stand, it’s a no-brainer. A top-to-bottom cabinet overhaul is in order.

Doing so is in the best interest of not only Mr. Marcos but the nation as well.

With everything going wrong in his administration and the country, BBM must start from the basics—reshuffling his cabinet now!

Roseten Tugaff

Roseten “Tenten” Tugaff is an experienced journalist with a rich background in reporting. He began his career in the mid-’90s, working with the now-defunct Manila Chronicle and The Manila Times shortly after graduating from college. Throughout his career, he has also held various roles in government. Currently, he is a freelance media relations practitioner and hosts his own online political podcast.