Malacañang stood by its official word on the departure of former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, with Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro defending the reason behind his exit despite Bersamin denying he had resigned.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Castro emphasized that the PCO only announced what has been officially conveyed and that no information will be released beyond Malacañang’s directive. She noted that they respect Bersamin’s sentiments.
“Again, what we announced came from the Palace and we respect the feelings of ES Bersamin. What the Palace said was what we are only announcing,” Castro said.
Bersamin on Wednesday denied he resigned ‘out of delicadeza.’ He also wrote a letter addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. accepting his decision and assured to help his successor, former Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, settle in at the Office of Executive Secretary.
“My holding the office of the Executive Secretary was subject to your presidential prerogative to which I hereby freely and completely submit myself,” Bersamin told Marcos in a letter dated November 17.
Malacañang announced his departure the day after, November 18, as well as the resignation of Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.
Castro later also revealed the changes in the Marcos Cabinet with the appointments of now Finance Secretary Frederick Go and DBM officer-in-charge Rolando Toledo.
She added that Bersamin’s resignation was submitted under the President’s prerogative, and the Palace has accepted it.
“If that is what the Palace is reading because he submitted himself to the President’s prerogative, that is all we can say, and we have accepted the resignation,” Castro said.
Bersamin had said a good friend called and informed him that he was to leave his position, which he accepted, noting that he serves “at the pleasure of the President” and no reason was required.
But he also questioned why the Palace had announced his supposed resignation without consulting him.
“They should have consulted me first… I became the last to be told, which made it difficult to respond to questions,” he said.
He confirmed meeting with the President after his alleged removal from his post but declined to reveal details, citing privileged communication.
However, the erstwhile executive secretary denied any involvement in the alleged P52-billion budget insertion, calling accusations against him “innuendo.”
“The Office of the Executive Secretary does not have anything to do with insertions or budget. Our job is to submit our own budget. We do not meddle in other agencies’ budgets,” Bersamin said, dismissing claims that he orchestrated irregularities.
He also defended Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin, his grandnephew, who has been mentioned in connection with the controversy.
“You cannot expect him to do anything not aligned with those above him. Whatever they say about him, ask him directly, maybe he will give you the answer,” he said.
Bersamin also described as baseless claims, attributed to former DPWH official Roberto Bernardo, by Senate Blue Ribbon chairman Panfilo Lacson.
“I vehemently deny the imputation against me. Bernardo could not be a credible source of relevant information if his knowledge looks and sounds like, at least, triple hearsay… If Senator Lacson has evidence, we will respect that. But don’t say I am the mastermind based on handwritten notes or stories,” he said.
