Chiz Escudero, nagbabala kay PBBM ukol sa tinagurian niyang mga “reckless allies”

- Senate President Chiz Escudero cautioned President Bongbong Marcos against “reckless allies”

- The senate president called on the president to disassociate himself from such allies amid a Cabinet-wide courtesy resignations

- It can be recalled that PBBM asked all cabinet secretaries to tender their courtesy resignations to allow him to recalibrate his administration

- The President’s directive for resignations is seen as a crucial step to align government performance with public demands, particularly after the recent midterm election results

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Thursday, May 22, urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to distance himself from “reckless allies” as the chief executive orchestrates a significant revamp within his Cabinet.

This counsel comes on the heels of PBBM’s directive for all Cabinet officials to submit their courtesy resignations, a move initiated to recalibrate the administration following the recent midterm elections.

Escudero, in a statement, hailed the President’s call for courtesy resignations as a crucial initial step towards ensuring the government meets public expectations regarding service and performance.

“The President’s course correction must include his entire political house, starting with his own backyard. He must distance himself from reckless allies who squandered his goodwill and burned through his political capital for selfish ends,” Escudero asserted, though he did not name specific individuals.

He further emphasized that while President Marcos requires trustworthy alter egos to implement government programs effectively, the outcome of this month’s elections indicates that the public demands more than just a mere personnel adjustment.

The President’s directive for a Cabinet-wide courtesy resignation, issued on Tuesday, May 20, was publicly stated as a means to “realign government with the people’s expectations” and to evaluate the performance of each department.

This was prompted by Marcos's observation that the electorate seemed “tired of politics and disappointed with the government” due to perceived slowness in service and project delivery.

Support for the President’s move resonated among other senators. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada viewed it as a positive stride that “appears to be part of a genuine reform effort to restore the people’s trust in our institutions.”

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III lauded the move, noting it enables Marcos Jr. to “regroup” his team and bring in fresh perspectives.

Pimentel suggested that the President should consider appointing “non-political personalities” without ambitions for the 2028 elections, believing such individuals would be more “objective and scientific” in their work.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito interpreted the President’s order as an acknowledgment of the recent election results, sending a clear message to Cabinet officials to remain vigilant and avoid complacency.

Meanwhile, Senator-elect Panfilo “Ping” Lacson also offered a cautionary note, shifting focus to legislative matters.

He urged the President to exercise his “persuasive” powers over Congress, particularly the House of Representatives, to address and curb “insertions” as discussions commence on the proposed 2026 national budget.

Lacson notably described the controversial 2025 General Appropriations Act as a “deadly virus that is choking the country to perdition,” pointing to its substantial increase in financial aid programs, colloquially known as “ayuda.”

These aid programs have drawn criticism for their potential vulnerability to vote-buying and corruption.

Lacson advocated for the consolidation of these aid programs into the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and expressed his intent to file a bill to that effect once the 20th Congress convenes.

“It is time to give the Filipino people a chance to benefit more from the taxes that they pay out of their hard-earned money,” Lacson concluded.

News, photos or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, such could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, Cassandra Ynares clarified that she and Bimby Aquino are longtime friends and not romantically involved. She shared appreciation for Kris Aquino’s kind words, saying she was flattered by the compliment. When asked if she was Kris’s favorite for Bimby, she playfully replied, “Puwede ba, secret na lang?” Cassandra reminded the public not to believe everything online, emphasizing, “Don’t believe what you see online.”

Meanwhile, the University of Santo Tomas has issued a statement about the passing of one of its students. 22-year-old BS Physical Therapy student Junver Toledo tragically passed away on May 18. UST’s official statement emphasizes its commitment to student well-being. The University, in its statement, also offered readily available counselors, psychiatrists, and psychologists to assist students.

Source: KAMI.com.gh