Major business groups expressed satisfaction with the administration’s economic team amid President Marcos’ call for his Cabinet’s courtesy resignations, with some business leaders hopeful that key economic managers would be relatively unscathed after the shakeup.
“Big revamp at this time. We at Makati Business Club have a lot of respect [for the cabinet], especially for the economic cluster. We like these guys. We think they’re the best people for the job,” Makati Business Club (MBC) executive director Rafael Ongpin told reporters yesterday.
“And then there are other, you know, cabinet positions outside the economic cluster that have the best people for the job. So we would be very surprised if there was a real big shuffle at this stage. Yes, they’ve resigned. It’s a courtesy resignation. They will be, we expect them to be reappointed,” he added.
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Enunina Mangio expressed surprise at the sweeping call for resignations.
She acknowledged the administration’s strong economic performance but pointed to political developments as potential disruptors.
“We are trying to get more investments for the country… We hope that the courtesy resignations will bring in accountable and merit-based appointments,” she said.
Mangio emphasized the need to avoid uncertainty and to ensure economic continuity by making new and reappointments promptly.
Similarly, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), through its president Alfredo Panlilio, described the President’s move as a difficult yet familiar practice in executive leadership.
“This happens in business and the private sector—a CEO needs to make difficult calls,” said Panlilio.
The MAP scalled for capable and committed individuals to be appointed swiftly, so the government can “uplift the lives of all Filipinos and move us closer to the outcomes our people deserve.”
Meanwhile, senators welcomed the call for Cabinet officials’ courtesy resignations, framing it as a necessary step toward accountability and reform.
Senate President Francis Escudero welcomed the development, noting that the President has acknowledged the public’s dissatisfaction and acted decisively.
“I am thankful that he has acknowledged that there is a problem, displayed sensitivity to the sentiments of our countrymen, and humbly taken responsibility by addressing it and demanding accountability from those tasked with implementing the vital programs of the administration: the members of his Cabinet,” he said.
Escudero likened the reshuffle to a mid-game substitution, saying Marcos needs competent and trustworthy allies to help him execute key programs.
“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,” he added.
Likewise, Senator-elect Panfilo Lacson also urged Marcos to extend his reform agenda to the legislature and exercise his influence over Congress to eliminate “pork barrel” and questionable insertions in the 2026 budget.
“The 2025 General Appropriations Act is like a deadly virus that is choking the country to perdition. With the President taking the lead in at least tempering the insatiable greed of some legislators, I vow to do my share in helping him come up with a national budget that is truly responsive to the people’s clamor for sanity and a little timidity among the members of Congress in addressing the needs of their constituents,” he said.
For his part, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada reminded that the President is within his constitutional rights to reorganize his Cabinet.
“If the President deems it necessary to revamp his official family, I don’t see anything wrong with it, especially if such a move is in pursuit of assembling a leadership team that can deliver efficient, accountable, and responsive governance,” he said.
As this developed, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) urged Mr. Marcos to put their ability to work with local government units in his criteria for evaluating cabinet officials’ performance.
“I unequivocally express my support to the President’s orders on behalf of the 1,486-strong League of Municipalities of the Philippines,” LMP national president and re-electionist Abra Rep. JB Bernos said.
“If local government units conduct periodic performance reviews, so must the national government, especially those who are entrusted to bring the President’s vision to reality,” Bernos pointed out.
“The only thing I am asking the President is to also consider how much the departments have collaborated or supported the municipalities in the past three years,” he added.