Malacañang has refused to disclose the reason behind the sudden departure of former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin from the Cabinet.
“Nag-usap naman po sila ng Pangulo face-to-face at let us just leave it at that,” Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a Palace briefing on Thursday, Nov. 20.
On Monday, Nov. 17, the Palace announced Bersamin’s resignation “out of delicadeza” after his office was linked to flood control anomalies.
However, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, Bersamin contradicted the Palace statement, saying he did not resign but was told to “exit.”
He revealed that a “close friend” had called him before noon on Monday, instructing him to leave.
Later that evening, he spoke with the President but declined to share details of their conversation.
Neither Bersamin nor Malacañang has explained the reason behind his removal, stressing that he serves at the pleasure of the President, who “does not need a reason.”
Castro also admitted she had no knowledge of who ordered Bersamin’s removal. “Hindi ko po masasabi kung sino po ang nagpatanggal sa kanya… Kung iyon po ang nababasa ng Palasyo dahil sinubmit niya naman po ang sarili niya sa President’s prerogative, iyan lamang po ang ating masasabi at tinanggap po ang sinasabing resignation,” she said.
After the contradicting claims from both sides, Castro said they acknowledged the clarification made by Bersamin about his supposed resignation, and maintained that the announcement was from the Malacanang.
“The Palace acknowledges former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin’s clarification regarding the manner of his transition. As he himself stated in his interview, he submitted himself to the President’s discretion and prerogative as part of the ongoing reorganization,” Castro stated. (Betheena Unite)
