MALACAÑANG on Thursday declined to disclose the reason for former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin’s departure, saying that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has already spoken to the former Cabinet chief and that the Palace prefers to “leave it at that.”
Earlier, the Palace announced that Bersamin “voluntarily resigned” from his post “out of delicadeza” after being linked to alleged meddling in the 2025 national budget.
Bersamin, however, disputed the Palace’s claim, stating that he “did not resign” and was told by someone “not from Malacañang” that he “had to go.”
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified in a press briefing that the Palace acknowledges Bersamin’s explanation regarding the transition.
“As he stated, he submitted himself to the President’s discretion as part of the ongoing reorganization,” she said. “The Palace announcement was issued in line with this understanding and with due regard for stability and continuity in governance. Let us just leave it at that.”
When asked who ordered Bersamin’s removal, Castro said, “I cannot say who instructed it… he submitted himself to the President’s prerogative, and that’s all we can confirm.”
Castro also denied claims of a pattern of abrupt removals in the executive branch, emphasizing that officials serve “at the pleasure of the President.”
Previous removals without clear explanations include former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui.