WHAT DOES THE CABINET CLEANSING MEAN?

WHAT DOES THE CABINET CLEANSING MEAN? Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin recently described the cabinet reshuffle initiated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as a form of “cleansing.” This choice of words, while possibly intended as metaphorical or symbolic, carries with it heavy connotations. Naturally, the public is left to ask: what exactly is being cleansed? Does this imply the presence of incompetence, underperformance, or worse—corruption—within the President’s official family? The original context of the cabinet revamp, as earlier stated by the Palace, was to “recalibrate” the administration—a seemingly more neutral term that suggests adjusting strategies and personnel to better align with the administration’s evolving priorities and the expectations of the Filipino people. This recalibration, we were told, aimed at achieving a faster, more efficient, and more results-driven government. It was framed as a technical and strategic move rather than a punitive or disciplinary action. Yet now, with “cleansing” introduced into the political vocabulary, it risks giving the impression that certain officials were removed not for being slow or underperforming, but for being unethical or untrustworthy. This narrative unfairly casts a shadow on those who were let go—particularly on former DENR Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga, a well-respected figure in environmental governance. She was reportedly not even afforded the opportunity to explain or defend her record publicly. By framing her departure within a so-called “cleansing,” the administration opens itself to criticism that it has, wittingly or not, smeared the reputations of individuals without evidence of wrongdoing. It’s also worth examining how the other cabinet changes have been treated. Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jerry Acuzar, for instance, was reassigned instead of being removed, despite having been widely reported as having “overpromised and underdelivered” on housing targets. If his shortcoming was primarily speed and execution, then is this considered a lesser offense than whatever Secretary Loyzaga was perceived to have done—or failed to do? Or does this reveal an uneven standard of accountability? Interestingly, the appointment of Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa “Tess” Lazaro has been met with praise. Her rise to the position is being viewed as a reward for her loyalty to the service and her good track record of diplomacy. Yet even her promotion raises a question: if some are being “cleansed,” are others being “purified” or rewarded on purely political grounds? Using the word “cleansing” in government reshuffles is dangerous because it is imprecise and suggestive. It invites speculation, casts doubt on the integrity of those replaced and often does so without transparent justification. If the real goal of this cabinet revamp is to improve governance through a merit-based evaluation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), then let it be known as such. Government should strive for clarity, fairness, and transparency—particularly when public servants’ reputations and careers are at stake. Ultimately, Filipinos deserve to know: was this a recalibration, a reshuffle, or a purge? Words matter—especially when they affect public trust in governance and the dignity of those who serve. Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com 06-24-2025