Business group supports 'outperforming' economic managers

The influential Makati Business Club (MBC) is calling for the retention of the administration’s economic managers and other “efficient” department heads following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call for all of his Cabinet Secretaries to resign, according to a report by Manila Bulletin.

Marcos announced on Thursday, May 22, his intention to “recalibrate” his administration following the results of the May 12 midterm elections, noting that the people want results instead of excuses.

Speaking before the media in an intimate get-together, MBC officials said the majority of the Marcos Cabinet should stay, given their strong track record in pursuing policies aligned with strengthening the economy.

“We at Makati Business Club have a lot of respect for them, especially the economic cluster. We like these guys. We think they’re the best people for the job,” said MBC Executive Director Rafael Ongpin.

“And then there are other Cabinet positions outside the economic cluster that we feel are also the best people for the job,” he added.

With this view, Ongpin said the group doesn’t see a “big reshuffle” in the Cabinet, outside maybe “one or two” secretaries who are not performing to the standard of the President.

Members of the Cabinet are in the process of submitting, or have already submitted, their courtesy resignations before Marcos.

MBC chairman Edgar Chua said this will essentially give the President a free hand in giving some secretaries a “graceful way” of stepping down.

He, however, warned that if many of these Secretaries are suddenly replaced, it would be “disruptive” to the economy.

“So we are hoping that the President will be able to retain the really good ones, and their performance will speak for themselves,” said Chua.

One of the names mentioned by MBC officials is Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who heads the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), due to her strong leadership and efficient management.

In particular, the business group cited her efforts to push for the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, a key measure that MBC has long advocated for.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel received acknowledgment for his strong engagement with the private sector, as well as for bringing his business acumen to run the agency.

Laurel, who was appointed as DA chief in 2023, previously headed the Frabelle Group of Companies, which covers business entities such as deep-sea fishing and aquaculture.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque were also lauded for “getting things done.”

MBC said these Secretaries, among others, are “outperforming” even the current shifting political and economic circumstances that could have affected their capacity to lead their respective departments successfully.

“I think that we’re saying this, and for the most part, I think we’ve become—some of us, at least—have become a fan of this administration, and the moves it has made,” said MBC trustee Victor Paterno.

“I think, coming from MBC, that says a lot,” he noted.

Established in 1981, MBC was realized to essentially “confront” the administration of Marcos’ father, former President and strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and his so-called cronies.

“So fast forward to today, this engagement with the BBM government, with the son, is really important to us, because it’s precisely not a confrontation,” said Ongpin.

MBC said the current administration is actively reaching out to the private sector for their contribution, such as through the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC).

The group is hoping that this level of engagement with the government will continue despite a recalibration in the Cabinet.

Budget integrity
Despite affirming its support for the Cabinet, particularly the economic team, MBC stressed that they need to step up in upholding the integrity of the national budget.

MBC trustee Ramon del Rosario, in particular, said the Secretaries should be solidly behind the budget by “taking it more seriously.”

Essentially, he is suggesting that the Cabinet play a more active role in the budget-making process after the controversies surrounding this year’s budget.

In February, MBC raised the alarm on changes introduced by the bicameral conference committee in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which embodies this year’s budget of %u20B16.326 trillion.

It pointed out that the allocation for healthcare, social services, and education projects was redirected to unconditional cash transfers that “promote a culture of patronage and dependency.”

With this, Del Rosario said President Marcos’ plan to personally monitor the bicam deliberations is a step in the right direction.