Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman have voluntarily resigned from their posts “out of delicadeza” after their offices were linked to flood control anomalies, Malacañang announced on Monday, Nov. 17.
Marcos has appointed Finance Secretary Ralph Recto as the new executive secretary, replacing Bersamin, and named Adviser for Investments and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go as the new finance secretary.
“Both officials 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,” Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing on Monday afternoon.
According to Castro, Bersamin and Pangandaman “voluntarily filed their resignations,” which the President accepted the same day.
In accepting Bersamin’s resignation, Marcos conveyed his “deep appreciation” to him “for his steady leadership at the helm of the Office of the Executive Secretary.”
“A former Chief Justice, ES Bersamin brought to Malacañang decades of legal wisdom, calm stewardship, and a deep respect for institution building. His contributions will remain part of the foundation on which continuing reforms stand,” Castro said.
The President likewise extended his sincere gratitude to Pangandaman, “whose work at DBM strengthened the government’s fiscal management, guided the timely passage of national budgets, and ensured that social programs and front-line services were funded and delivered.”
Undersecretary Rolando Toledo was designated as officer-in-charge (OIC) of Department of Budget and Management (DBM), replacing Pangandaman.
In appointing Recto, Marcos said his “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.”
Go, who will replace Recto as DOF chief, has played a central role in advancing investments, strengthening investor confidence, and aligning economic initiatives across agencies, Castro said.
Go will now oversee the country’s fiscal direction and the implementation of the administration’s economic agenda, she added.
Go’s position as the Adviser for Investments and Economic Affairs remains vacant.
Castro noted that while Marcos did not want to dignify the allegations made by resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co towards the President and his administration, his claims may have compelled Bersamin and Pangandaman to step down from their posts.
“Hindi po natin masasabi na ang alegasyon ni Zaldy Co ay seryoso. Makikita po natin sa kanyang mga sinabi at sa kanyang mga pictures na kanyang pinakita,” Castro said.
“Pero kung anuman ang kanyang mga nasabi ay maaaring ito ang nagbigay ng dahilan para sa dalawang mga magigiting nating secretaries na sila mismo ang magboluntaryong mag-resign sa kanilang posisyon para mabigyang daan ang malalimang pag-iimbestiga sa mga maaanomalyang flood control projects,” she added.
Castro reiterated that they were not asked by the President to resign, but voluntarily filed their respective resignation.
Should other Cabinet members think they are linked or could be linked to the flood control anomalies, the President would also want them to voluntarily resign, Castro further said. (Betheena Unite)
