Presidential appointees' performance under review—PCO

Presidential appointees are undergoing performance review to ensure they continue to be qualified for their posts.

Presidential Spokesperson Cheloy Garafil thus told reporters when asked to confirm a memorandum supposedly from the Presidential Management Staff circulating on social media.

''This is a directive to all presidential appointees, including those appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., as part of performance review and to ensure continuing qualifications to remain in office,'' Garafil told Palace reporters.

According to the memo addressed to all heads of departments, agencies, offices, and instrumentalities, including Government-Owned-or-Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), Government Financial Institutions (GFIs), and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), all presidential appointees appointed before February 1, 2023 were directed to submit their updated personal data sheet and clearances from the Civil Service Commission, National Bureau of Investigation, Office of the Ombudsman, and Sandiganbayan.

The heads of the offices shall ensure compliance of the presidential appointees. 

The memorandum dated February 2, 2024 said that all requirements must be submitted to the PMS within 30 days from its issuance.

At the launch of the Bagong Pilipinas on January 28, Marcos  reminded government officials that they were public servants.

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

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

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

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

He added that dishonest officials had no place in the government especially those who are involved in corrupt and illicit activities. 

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. 

Marcos said the government must show the people in deeds not in words that it was deserving of their trust.

''Government must lead by example, not by empty exhortation but in ways that inspire confidence to our people, so they too, will believe that the greatness they deserve is at hand,'' Marcos said at the rally.

He said the government should present an agenda for the future, having clear benefits for the general public.

''It must craft a blueprint for progress, a plan that inspires hope and promises change, because without one, we will be inflicting the old and outmoded views on our people, denying them the benefits that innovation and that empowerment will bring,'' Marcos said.  —RF/NB, GMA Integrated News