President Marcos told newly-appointed Career Executive Service Officers (CESO)to uphold the highest ethical standards in their career wherever they are serving.

"[T]o our newly appointed CESOs, as you join this esteemed group and reaffirm your duties to provide quality and faithful service to the people, I would like to remind you that you have also taken on the Herculean task of upholding the highest ethical standards in your career wherever it is that you are serving," Marcos said in his speech during the oath taking ceremony of new CESOs on Monday, Aug. 5.

The President stressed that as public servants., they have the "power to reform our government and our country."

"You are instrumental in creating a more inclusive and sustainable society for our citizens," he said, citing that this year, the government was able to increase the CES occupancy rate from 44 percent to 50 percent from the previous years.

He further reminded them that their work "affects millions of Filipinos and inspires generations beyond your tenure," noting that the "bar is set quite high every single day" in the country's civil service.

Marcos also challenged them to join him in "reinventing ourselves as civil servants and the bureaucracy, to provide the stability and continuity that we will need for our long-term programs and visions for them to succeed."

"I ask you to continue to embody the four core values of public service—that of patriotism, excellence, integrity, and spirituality—in everything that you do so that this nation will prosper, thrive, and grow under your leadership and your guidance," Marcos said.

'You have elevated bureaucracy'

During the ceremony at the Palace, Marcos also led the awarding of the Presidential Gawad Career Executive Service (CES), and recognized the achievements of career executives. He also called on them to help in attaining his administration's goals for a prosperous nation.
 
"Your dedication to public service, to finding solutions to problems that beset our people, especially those in isolated areas, and to harnessing technologies available to us fortifies my faith, once more, in the Career Executive Service," he said.

"You have elevated the bureaucracy and truly transformed [the] lives of those that you have served," he added. "I’m sure your achievements will serve as an inspiration to all CESOs present and those listening."

Marcos administered the oath of office of 146 newly-appointed CESOs as they assumed their CES positions.

The appointment to a CES Rank is a significant milestone in one’s career, as it establishes a foundation for tenure security within the CES.

In the same event, four Gawad CES honorees were recognized as recipients of the Presidential Award for 2021, 2022 and 2023.

The award recognizes members of the CES for their exemplary performance and significant contributions, particularly in the areas of innovation, information and communications technology, social services, administrative reforms and public policy.

The awardees were: Regional Director Josefina Abilay, Assistant Secretary Teresa Camba, Schools Division Superintendent Miguel Aposin, and officer-in-charge Deputy Executive Director Eduardo Quilang.