Marcos presses reset; Palace sells discipline

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has cast 2025 as a year of performance-based governance, where he ordered periodic reviews, leadership adjustments, and structural recalibration across the executive branch to sharpen priorities and improve the delivery of services.

That, at least, is how Malacañang tells it.

Midway into his six-year term, Marcos has framed the moves as proof that results and accountability trump political convenience, even as his administration reels from the so-called “Floodgate” corruption scandal and mounting economic and political headwinds.

“Floodgate” refers to the alleged ghost and substandard flood control projects flagged by whistleblowers and former officials, including expelled Representative Zaldy Co.

From abroad where he is in hiding, Co has claimed that billions of pesos in kickbacks from those projects were delivered to the residences of the President and his cousin, former Speaker Martin Romualdez. 

The allegations, which Malacañang has denied, intensified public scrutiny of infrastructure spending and raised questions about accountability at the highest levels of government.

Against this backdrop, Marcos ordered a broad review of the agency’s performance and initiated selective changes within his Cabinet and key government offices, presenting the exercise as a necessary course correction rather than a shake-up.

The so-called reset involved the submission of courtesy resignations by Cabinet secretaries and agency heads, followed by the retention of some officials for continuity and the reassignment or replacement of others. 

While billed as decisive leadership, the process left most of the administration’s old power structure intact, even as public pressure mounted for bigger changes.

“We cannot afford to be complacent. The time for comfort zones is over,” Marcos said as he announced what he described as a bold government reset, stressing that public office demanded responsibility and measurable outcomes.

Throughout the year, Marcos repeatedly reminded officials that Cabinet posts were not permanent and that regular performance reviews were central to responsive governance. Those deemed to be effective were kept in their seats, while others were reassigned or quietly eased out.

At President’s pleasure

“Those who have delivered and continue to deliver will be recognized,” the President had said. “This is not about personalities — it’s about performance, alignment and urgency.”

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro echoed that line, noting that officials served at the pleasure of the President and must continually justify their stay at their jobs.

“They will remain in their positions. Perhaps this is the right time for them to show why they should stay in their posts,” Castro had said.

Among the most prominent changes was the appointment of former finance secretary Ralph Recto as Executive Secretary, replacing Lucas Bersamin. The post, dubbed the “Little President,” carries significant influence over policy coordination and day-to-day governance.

Recto’s elevation was presented as a move to strengthen inter-agency coordination and push the administration’s agenda forward. 

Critics, however, pointed out that the reshuffle was limited in scope and avoided more disruptive changes that could have signaled a deeper overhaul, particularly amid unresolved corruption allegations.

The reset narrative also unfolded as the economy showed signs of strain. The peso weakened during the year, capital flight intensified, and growth concerns persisted, adding pressure on an administration already facing declining public trust.

Likewise, recent Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia surveys showed Marcos’ trust rating slipping into negative territory, reflecting voter unease over governance, the economy, and corruption issues linked to flood control projects.