Former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin has disputed Malacañang’s earlier claim that he voluntarily resigned from his post, saying his departure was made at the president’s prerogative, not his own decision.
In a phone interview on Wednesday, Bersamin said he “felt bad somehow” after the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Monday that he was stepping down without consulting him.
“I resigned out of delicadeza. It’s nice to hear ‘out of delicadeza.’ But that’s not true, I didn’t resign. The only letter I sent regarding my position that I no longer have was that letter I signed yesterday afternoon that said I bow to the prerogative of the president,” Bersamin explained.
He added that he was informed by a close friend — whom he declined to name — on Nov. 17 that he would have to leave the post. “That is the nature of my tenure, [I serve] at the pleasure of the president. So, no. I will not validate [my voluntary] resignation,” he said.
Disputing Allegations
Bersamin also denied involvement with former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and former DepEd Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, who previously claimed he committed to managing portions of the 2025 national budget.
“I don’t need to explain that because I really have nothing to do with the budget. If there are people who want to implicate me in that, stop it. Just sue me so I can answer correctly. Right now, it’s all innuendo, all insinuations,” he said.
The former Supreme Court Chief Justice emphasized that he has no scandals or prior controversies and cautioned against damaging rumors circulating on social media.
Cabinet Shake-Up
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administered the oath to Ralph Recto as the new Executive Secretary and Frederick Go as acting Finance Secretary on Wednesday at Malacañang.
The appointments followed a Cabinet reshuffle earlier this week after Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman were linked to alleged anomalies in flood control project funds. Recto takes over from Bersamin, while Go replaces Pangandaman. Budget Undersecretary Rolando Toledo was appointed officer in charge of the Department of Budget and Management.
According to PCO, Recto and Go were chosen for their exemplary track records in policy, governance, and economic initiatives.