MBC lauds economic team, pushes for budget integrity

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.

- By DEXTER BARRO II

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.