President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is “very sincere” with his intent to bring the Philippines “to greater heights,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on Tuesday.

Speaking to select Palace reporters, Bersamin said he is “impressed” with Marcos’ work performance, noting that the Chief Executive keeps reminding his Cabinet to work harder for the betterment of the country.

“He (Marcos) is very, very sincere and he wants us to do more,” Bersamin, who assumed his post as Executive Secretary on Sept. 27, said.

“A lot of things need to be done yet. Every Cabinet meeting, he always presses all Cabinet members to move forward and achieve more to bring the country to greater heights,” he added.

Bersamin said while he was only able to attend two Cabinet meetings since he took oath of office as Executive Secretary on Sept. 27, he always got “impressed about [Marcos’] sincerity.”

Major accomplishments

He even saw Marcos’ first three months in office “very inspiring,” given the administration’s accomplishments.

Despite being an “outsider for a long time,” Bersamin said he was already aware of the “many” achievements of the Marcos administration.

“It’s my only impression. Marami (There are many [accomplishments]),” he said, citing Marcos’ recent participation in the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the United States.

While the current administration has already accomplished so many things, Marcos has no plan to highlight his achievements on his first 100 days, Bersamin said.

“It seems that he’s not that kind na mage-emphasize siya sa 100 days (of person to emphasize his achievements on his first 100 days),” he said.

“Si Presidente is always ambivalent about that term 100. Bakit 100? Bakit hindi 50? (He’s asking why [do we have to report on the first 100 days and not on the first 50 days). Are we bound to give a report on 100 days, sabi niyang ganiyan (he asked),” Bersamin added.

Signing of bills

Bersamin also noted that there is a “very distinct” possibility for Marcos to sign legislative measures that are awaiting his signature, including the bills on SIM registration and postponement of the 2022 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

This, after Congress officially transmitted to Marcos’ office the enrolled copies of the two bills.

Bersamin said it is “very seldom” for a president to veto a measure.

“‘Yung mga ganyang signing (With regard to the signing [of the bills], you must presume the good faith of the two houses of legislature and when they submit to the President for his signature any piece of legislation na pagdaanan na nila (they already passed), the probability is high that the president will agree with them,” he said. (PNA)