Marcos to gov’t officials: You are servants, not lords

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday had a stern instruction to all government officials, saying that they are not lords of the public. 

“You are servants of the people, not their lords,” Marcos said in his speech during the Bagong Pilipinas kick-off rally held at Quirino Grandstand. 

Marcos said government employees should not be lazy as slow service has no place in his administration

“Una, bawal ang tamad at makupad sa pamahalaan. Walang puwang ang mga mabagal at sagabal sa serbisyo publiko,” Marcos said. 

“Services must be fast, projects must be completed on time, deadlines must be met per schedule, distress calls must be responded to without delay,” he added. 

The President emphasized that “whatever government office, red tape must be replaced with a red carpet.”

Dishonest officials have no place in the government as well, Marcos said, especially those who are involved in corrupt and illicit activities. 

“Pangalawa, bawal ang mga hindi tapat at nangungulimbat. Kapag pera ng bayan ang nawala dahil sa katiwalian, ang mga taong  paglalaanan sana ng pondong naglaho ay nananakawan,” Marcos said. 

“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, bawal ang waldas. Ang paghahanda, lalo na ang paggugol ng budget ng bayan, ay bukas sa publiko at hindi kinukubli. Walang parte nito ang kinukupit o sinusubi,” he added.

Marcos further said the public should be treated with respect in exchange for the trust that they have been giving to government officials.

He added that feedback is necessary to government agencies in order for mistakes to be corrected. 

''So let me reiterate this, feedback is essential to government, without it, mistakes cannot be corrected, bad behavior cannot be sanctioned, best practices cannot be learned, and good deeds cannot be commended,'' Marcos said. 

''Sa Bagong Pilipinas, ang masama ay i-reklamo, ang mabuti ay i-rekomenda,'' he added. ''Ngunit ang mga papuri at puna ay hindi dapat hintaying kumatok na lang sa ating mga opisina. Obligasyon natin na mga nasa gobyerno na hanapin ito.'' 

With unity as his campaign promise, Marcos also pushed for a united response and action instead of ''kanya-kanya'' attitude.

''Sa mga makakasarili na pilit tayong hinahatak sa landas na 'tayo-tayo' at prinsipyong 'kanya-kanya,' ang mga nabanggit kong huwarang Pilipino ang patunay na may tagumpay kung sama-sama tayong nangangarap at sabay-sabay tayong kumilos,'' Marcos said. 

''Sa totoo lang, sa bayang ito, hindi po mabibilang ang dami ng mga katulad nila, mga tanglaw na ‘di kayang takpan ng kadiliman,'' he added. — BM, GMA Integrated News