Bersamin, Pangandaman quit Marcos Cabinet; Recto, Go named to new posts
MANILA, Philippines (Updated) — President Bongbong Marcos accepted the resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Palace press officer Claire Castro said Monday, November 17.
She said both voluntarily tendered their resignation "out of delicadeza," citing claims that tagged their departments in the flood control corruption scandal.
Their quitting comes days after former Rep. Elizaldy Co accused Pangandaman of executing an alleged instruction from the president to insert P100 billion in the 2025 budget prior to the bicam in December, which she immediately denied. Analysts and Congress leaders have also noted inconsistencies in Co's statements, released on video from an undisclosed location overseas.
Castro also confirmed the appointment of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto as the new executive secretary. Recto earlier denied he was offered a new post.
Taking over at the Department of Finance is Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go as the new secretary. Go's previous post, however, remains vacant.
DBM Undersecretary Rolando Toledo, meanwhile, was assigned as the budget agency's officer in charge.
To give way to probes
According to Castro, Co's confession video may have influenced both Cabinet secretaries to voluntarily resign, so that a more impartial and comprehensive probe into the anomalous flood control projects and kickback scheme could be conducted.
While Bersamin and Pangandaman are now private citizens, Castro said this would not prevent them from being charged if found liable for playing a role in the misappropriation of funds.
"Private or not, if they are liable, they will be held accountable," she said in Filipino, explaining they would just be like government contractors who are already facing complaints for substandard and ghost projects.
Asked if Marcos' promise that no one would be exempt from the investigation applies to himself, she said yes, but added that "the president knows what he is doing," noting that he was the one who even ordered the probe in the first place.
Castro added that Bersamin's nephew, Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin, still serves at the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office and has since denied claims that he discussed budget insertions with Co.
- Latest
- Trending
