Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto urged personnel within the Office of the President (OP) to match the public’s confidence with efficient service and meaningful outcomes during a Malacañang recognition ceremony on Thursday, September 24.
Addressing public servants during an event celebrating employee milestones and long-standing government service, Recto emphasized the accountability inherent in working for the country’s highest executive office.
“Magtrabaho nang mahusay. Maglingkod nang tapat. At laging alalahanin kung para kanino tayo nagtatrabaho,” Recto stated, noting that citizens turn to the government during times of greatest need. “Every task in the Office of the President is an opportunity to answer that trust with action.”
Recto stressed that government employees must maintain professionalism and impartiality throughout their service.
“The presidency is that privileged conduit through which one’s skills can be used to serve the people,” Recto added, reminding personnel to act as professionals rather than partisans.
The ceremony honored 15 employees who completed Master’s degrees in Public Administration while maintaining their duties at the Palace. Recto gave special recognition to Joseph Timbol from the Palace Engineering Office, who earned a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology through the PUP Open University System under the Lifelong Learners Program.
“The Filipino people deserve public servants like you who never stop learning, never stop improving, and never stop finding better ways to serve the country,” Recto noted.
On behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Recto commended 20 loyalty awardees with 30 to 45 years of continuous public service, alongside 19 retirees who served across multiple presidential administrations.
The event also conferred post-humous honors through the Pamana ng Paglilingkod awards to the families of former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, Rolito Rodriguez of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat and Joven Rodil of the Engineering Office. Reflecting on his time in the legislature alongside Enrile, Recto paid tribute to their collective contributions to public administration.
“Ang posisyon ay pansamantala. Ang titulo ay maaaring mawala. Ang parangal ay maaaring maluma. Pero ang mabuti at tapat na serbisyo ay nananatili habang-buhay,” Recto said, adding that dedicated public service endures through strengthened state institutions and improved lives for the Filipino people.