Former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday, November 19, firmly denied claims that he voluntarily stepped down from his post, telling ABS-CBN News anchor Karen Davila that he “did not resign” and was instead informed he “had to go.”
In a post on social networking site X (formerly Twitter), Davila said Bersamin clarified the circumstances of his departure in a phone conversation, where he also stressed, “I am not the mastermind of anything,” adding that he needed to protect himself and his reputation amid ongoing allegations linked to the flood-control controversy.
Bersamin recounted that on Monday, November 17, he received a call—“not from Malacañang”—informing him that he had to leave his post as Executive Secretary.
He said he immediately texted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to say he had “no problem exiting,” even before the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) reportedly announced his resignation “out of delicadeza” at around 2 p.m. that day.
“Still, I did not submit any letter as of then,” Bersamin reportedly said.
On that day, Malacañang Press Undersecretary Claire Castro issued an official announcement saying that President Marcos had formally accepted the “voluntary resignations” of Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.
A day after, Tuesday, November 18, Castro reiterated that both officials “voluntarily resigned out of delicadeza” and wished to allow any investigation to proceed without hindrance.
Castro said Bersamin and Pangandaman tendered their resignations after their departments were mentioned in allegations involving flood-control projects now under investigation.
She said both officials stepped down “in recognition of the responsibility to allow the administration to address the matter appropriately.”
According to Bersamin, he went to the Office of the Executive Secretary on Tuesday to retrieve personal items and papers and to ensure a smooth transition for his successor.
Before leaving, he said he signed a letter acknowledging the President’s prerogative and instructed his staff to transmit the document to the Office of the Appointments Secretary.
“I left deciding that that would be the last time I would step into that office,” he reportedly told Davila.
Bersamin also rejected allegations raised by Senate President Panfilo Lacson, who earlier mentioned his name in connection with supposed insertions in the bicameral conference committee deliberations.
Asked by Davila for his reaction, Bersamin replied that his response was “utter disbelief,” saying the statements made about him were “pure hearsay three times over.”
He added that he should not even have to issue a denial “because there is nothing to deny.”
