Marcos prefers respect but admits fear may ensure accountability

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. said during his podcast that he prefers to be respected but admitted that being feared might be better when ensuring accountability.

Marcos indicated that officials found guilty of corruption over the past three years have been removed from their positions without public announcement.

The president emphasized that those who fail performance reviews may face dismissal or legal consequences, warning of potential dismissals based on these evaluations.

Marcos gave erring officials the leeway to resign instead of filing cases against them, citing several high-ranking officials who have left the administration for various reasons.

Among those who have left include former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez and Information Technologies Sec. Ivan John Uy.

The results of the 2025 midterm elections showed that the public is dissatisfied with government service, prompting Marcos Jr. to urge officials to take action without further explanation.