Resetting governance: PBBM's call for courtesy resignations in GOCCs

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s recent directive for 158 heads of government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) to submit courtesy resignations is a bold move that signals a potential recalibration of public sector governance. Far from being a mere administrative reshuffle, this sweeping order invites national reflection on the purpose, performance, and public accountability of state-run enterprises.

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GOCCs play a critical role in Philippine governance and economic life. They manage vital public assets and services—from utilities and infrastructure to finance, health-care, and agriculture. Given their broad mandate and significant financial resources, they are meant to serve as extensions of the state's development agenda. This is precisely why their governance must be beyond reproach.

The significance of this sector was firmly established with the passage of Republic Act No. 10149 in 2011, which created the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG). The GCG was envisioned to instill coherence, efficiency, and professionalism across more than 100 government corporations. It introduced a performance evaluation system, rationalized board compensation, and required transparency in corporate operations. For the first time in decades, there was a central body empowered to oversee, assess, and if necessary, recommend the abolition or merger of underperforming or redundant entities.