Recto new executive secretary, Go takes over Finance post
- Resignations ‘out of delicadeza’
- Toledo is DBM officer in charge
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman have resigned “out of delicadeza” after their names were mentioned during ongoing investigations into alleged anomalous flood control projects.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accepted their resignations yesterday, and appointed Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto as the new Executive Secretary.
Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Frederick Go will succeed Recto as DOF Secretary, while Budget Undersecretary Rolando Toledo was tapped as DBM officer-in-charge.
“Both officials (Bersamin and Pangandaman) respectfully offered and tendered their resignations out of delicadeza, after their departments were mentioned in allegations related to the flood control anomaly currently under investigation and in recognition of the responsibility to allow the administration to address the matter appropriately,” Castro said.
“These leadership changes reinforce the President’s commitment to strengthening institutions, improving coordination across government, and keeping the administration focused on delivering stability, opportunity, and security to Filipino families,” the Palace official added.
Former Public Works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo earlier said the Office of the Executive Secretary benefitted from the alleged anomalous flood control projects, an accusation that Bersamin has denied.
Pangandaman, for her part, was mentioned by resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co in his videos on the alleged insertions made in the 2025 budget.
Recto, a veteran economic policymaker, is Mr. Marcos’ third executive secretary since he took office in 2022. Bersamin previously replaced Vic Rodriguez, who served only for less than three months.
“Secretary Recto’s long record in economic policymaking, fiscal legislation, and national planning positions him well to oversee the day-to-day operations of government and coordinate the implementation of high-impact programs,” Castro said.
In a chance interview at the Senate, Recto said he was “surprised” but added that “work has to continue.”
“You know, there is really no such thing as a ‘little president.’ You cannot do miracles, but having said that, your job is to improve governance,” Recto said.
“Essentially, I think the role of ES (Executive Secretary) is just governance—how do you improve government services, get the departments to move faster, and ensure you follow the Philippine development plan,” he added.
As for Go, Castro said he has been central to investment promotion, investor confidence efforts, and economic policy alignment across agencies.
“He will now oversee the country’s fiscal direction and the implementation of the administration’s economic agenda,” she said, adding that the position of SAPIEA remains vacant.
In a statement released last night, Pangandaman thanked President Marcos for the trust and opportunity he gave him to serve in his government through the DBM. She also expressed her gratitude to everyone she worked with during her time at the department.
“In the past three and a half years, we worked with sincerity and determination to strengthen public institutions and ensure that every peso of the national budget works for the Filipino people,” she said, enumerating the reforms the DBM advanced under her watch.
Pangandaman cited the implementation of the New Government Procurement Act, the institutionalization of the Philippine Open Government Partnership, the passage of the Government Optimization Act, and the modernization of public financial management systems through digital innovations among her list of accomplishments.
“Serving as the first Muslim Budget Secretary—and the only Filipina Muslim in the Cabinet—has been the greatest honor of my life. My hope is that the reforms we built together continue to grow in the service of transparency, accountability, and peace,” she added.
Pangandaman ended her statement praying “for our nation’s strength and healing.” She said she will continue to support President Marcos in her private capacity, “as my heart will always remain committed to serving the Filipino people, especially my beloved Mindanao.”
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “PBBM accepts resignations of Bersamin, Pangandaman—Palace”
