Courtesy Resignations

 

                                              (image: explained.ph)

Simay na sab am lider baja?

On May 22, 2025, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. requested all Cabinet secretaries to tender their courtesy resignations, according to the Presidential Communications Office. The move, announced through the Philippine Information Agency, is meant to "recalibrate his administration following the results of the recent elections." This allows the President to evaluate each department’s performance and decide who will continue to serve based on his administration’s updated priorities.

Evaluating department heads can improve government efficiency and accountability by retaining only those aligned with the President’s goals. This builds a more effective team and enhances policy implementation. However, frequent evaluations and leadership changes risk destabilizing agencies and lowering morale, as officials face uncertainty and may shy away from long-term initiatives.

President Marcos said, “The people have spoken, and they expect results—not politics, not excuses. We hear them, and we will act.” But is this a case of appeasement leadership?

When leaders avoid making firm decisions out of fear of public uproar, they often prioritize self-preservation over conviction or vision. Such leaders lean toward appeasement, choosing inaction or compromise to dodge backlash. This can undermine their authority and hinder meaningful progress, eroding public confidence in times when courage and clarity are most needed.

Yet, appeasement leadership is not always negative. Dimuccio (1998) explains that while often criticized as weak or indecisive, appeasement can be a pragmatic strategy grounded in diplomacy and risk management. It can help maintain stability and prevent greater conflict, showing that appeasement sometimes reflects calculated statecraft rather than mere passivity.

But what about the programs initiated by secretaries who aim to help the people? These initiatives risk being cut short when new leaders take over. Incoming officials may lack the commitment or continuity to sustain projects, especially amid frequent turnover and short tenures. This instability threatens long-term progress and the lasting impact of valuable reforms.

Consider DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, who in his first 10 months faced the challenge of shifting the school calendar to June-March while enhancing the Senior High School Curriculum. A 2024 PSA report reveals nearly 19 million Filipinos aged 10 to 64 are functionally illiterate, emphasizing the need for urgent education reform. Angara has responded by strengthening Early Childhood Care and Development and National Reading Programs to boost literacy and develop graduates’ critical thinking—skills essential for a knowledge-based economy.

Yet, as the President said, “It’s time to realign government with the people’s expectations.” Whether this realignment leads to stronger leadership or mere appeasement remains to be seen.