INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Government officials who are lazy, dishonest, and oppressing others have no room under “Bagong Pilipinas,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Sunday.
During his speech at the Bagong Pilipinas kick-off rally in Quirino Grandstand, Marcos stressed that government officials should be open to feedback and prioritize the welfare of Filipinos.
“Sa mga kawani ng gobyerno una bawal ang tamad at makupad sa pamahalaan. (Government employees who are lazy and slow are not allowed under this 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,” the chief executive said.
Another trait a government official should have is honesty and efficiency in utilizing people’s money.
“In what ever government office red tape must be replaced with red carpet […] Bawal ang mga hindi tapat at nangungulimbat kapag pera ng bayan ang nawala dahil sa katiwalian ang mga tao paglalaanan sana ng pondong naglaho ay nananakawan sa Bagong Pilipinas bawal ang waldas.” Marcos said.
(Those who are corrupt are not allowed because the money that should be for the welfare of the people should not be stolen. People using the government’s money have no place in Bagong Pilipinas.)
And lastly, he emphasized that officials like him should serve the people and not oppress them.
“Pangatlo, bawal ang mapangapi at naghahari harian you are servants of the people not their lords wag natin pahirapan ang ating taong bayan bagkus suklian ang kanilang tiwala ng magalang na panunungkulan,” Marcos stressed.
(Third, government officials who are oppressing others should not be allowed as well. You are their servants and not lords; return their trust with humble service.)
Marcos is joined by other government officials such as Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senator Lito Lapid, Senator Ramon Revilla, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Executive Secretary Chief Luke Bersamin, Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, and his son House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte also appeared hours before Marcos but left to join the prayer rally held in Davao City.
During the event, registered individuals availed of various assistance from the government, such as the “Serbisyo Fair” for beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and eCard enrollment verification of record, loan application, and housing programs under the Government Service Insurance System.
Other services include civil registration services under the Philippine Statistics Authority, Philippine Identification System Registration and the ePhilID Issuance, and issuance of clearance for jobseekers under the National Bureau of Investigation, according to the Presidential Communications Office.