Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang on Thursday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does not need a “bastonero” to enforce discipline in government, asserting that the President himself is taking a firm hand in pushing for clean and efficient governance.
“Bilang Presidente, hindi po talaga dapat sinasabi na kailangan ng bastonero. Mismong Presidente mismo ang bastonero,” said Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro when asked if the President’s ongoing Cabinet revamp was his way of showing he can take strong action without relying on an enforcer.
[Translation: As President, he shouldn’t need a bastonero. He is the bastonero.]
The statement comes after Senator-elect Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Marcos may need a strong but well-intentioned “bastonero” in his Cabinet to make government officials toe the line, especially with only three years left in his term.
While Lacson acknowledged the President’s “kindness and goodness,” he warned that such qualities may be misinterpreted by allies and critics as weakness.
But Malacañang emphasized that Marcos is already demonstrating that kind of leadership.
“Iyan po ay aasahan natin ngayon po na nagsalita ang Pangulo na kinakailangan po ng mas mabilis at malinis na administrasyon—mapapakita po iyan ng Pangulo. Hindi po niya kailangan ng bastonero, siya na mismo po ang bastonero,” Castro said.
[Translation: The President has made it clear he wants a faster, cleaner administration. He doesn’t need a bastonero; he is the bastonero.]
She also addressed concerns about the timing of the courtesy resignations being requested from Cabinet members. Critics have raised questions on whether the move is politically motivated, coming just after the midterm elections.
But Castro said the performance review has been part of the President’s governance approach even before the polls.
“Tandaan po natin, marami na ang natatanggal bago pa nagkaroon ng eleksiyon. So, hindi lamang po ito ngayon, talaga pong niri-review,” she said.
[Translation: Let’s remember, several officials have been let go even before the elections. So this isn’t just happening now—reviews have been ongoing.]
She added that the President has long intended to monitor and assess the work of agency heads, and the shake-up is a continuation of that process.
