𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗶𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗕𝗕𝗠’𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

As a public servant and advocate for good governance, I welcome President Bongbong Marcos’ call for courtesy resignations of cabinet secretaries, viewing it as a demonstration of his commitment to reform. When we met in 2018, before filing his candidacy for the presidency, he expressed his desire to redeem his father’s name, and his most recent initiative is a step in that direction.

To build on this momentum and restore trust and integrity in government, I propose the following measures to strengthen the fight against corruption:

1. Abolish congressional pork barrel allocations in executive departments like DPWH, DSWD, DOLE, DOH, etc., ensuring transparency and accountability in resource allocation.

2. Shield departmental appointments, particularly in frontline departments like DPWH, from congressional interference to ensure merit-based selections.

3. Eliminate the practice of “percentages”  of corrupt politicians in public projects and other forms of corruption that undermine public trust.

4. ALL TRANSPARENCY IN THE BIDDING PROCESS TO PREEMPT RIGGED BIDDINGS THAT ONLY BENEFIT CORRUPT POLITICIANS  (AND THEIR RELATIVES) WHO ARE CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS.  

5. Hold corrupt politicians accountable through swift and impartial prosecution.

6. Remove congressional control over programs like AKAP, AICS, MAIP, TUPAD, CHED, and TESDA scholarships, ensuring these resources directly benefit the people WITH FULL TRANSPARENCY and without partisan influence. 

While call for courtesy resignations is a welcome start, it is crucial that we continue to push for meaningful and GENUINE reforms. By working together, we can make Good Governance the standard in public service, prioritizing the welfare of the Filipino people above all else.

BENJAMIN B. MAGALONG Public Servant