Statement of Senator Joel Villanueva on the Courtesy Resignation of Cabinet Secretaries

The President's directive for the courtesy resignation of Cabinet secretaries is a decisive step that reflects a genuine desire to strengthen governance. This move ensures that every government agency is working at par with the standards expected - not just by the administration, but by the Filipino people.

This is the time to take the bad eggs out of the Cabinet. Performance should be the primary consideration in retaining or appointing public officials. Public office is not a reward for loyalty - it is a mandate to deliver.

For instance, there have been reports that the Secretary of Health has been out of the country 19 times since his appointment in 2023. If we are talking about statistics just like in basketball, that's one travel every two months. The numbers speak for themselves.

Moreover, our office has been looking into various issues involving the Department of Health (DOH). In fact, we have already filed three Senate resolutions in the last two months to shed light on these matters and demand accountability. We will continue to examine these matters, particularly Proposed Senate Resolution No. 1326, which seeks to investigate the P11.18 billion worth of wasted or expired drugs and other medical supplies procured by the DOH in 2023.

I fully support the President in this bold initiative and call for a merit-based, performance-driven Cabinet. The Filipino people deserve no less.