ASEANEWS HEADLINE-COURTS & CRIME | MANILA, Philippines: Bersamin, DBM chief resign
Lucas Bersamin —PPA POOL Amenah Pangandaman—PHOTO FROM DBM
BREAKING: ES Bersamin, DBM Secretary Pangandaman resign out of delicadeza | ANC
Recto named Executive Secretary; Go next DOF chief
MANILA, Philippines — With their names dragged into the controversy over corruption in flood control projects, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman have resigned to give way to an investigation.
President Marcos accepted the resignation of the two officials, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing yesterday.
“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,” Castro said.
Minutes after the press briefing, she announced the resignation of Presidential Legislative Liaison Office chief Adrian Bersamin, who is a son of the nephew of the elder Bersamin.
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto has been named Bersamin’s replacement while Budget Undersecretary Rolando Toledo has replaced Pangandaman as officer-in-charge. Prior to the designation, Toledo led the budget preparation and execution group.
Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go, a former business executive, will succeed Recto as finance secretary.
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The replacements for Go and the younger Bersamin have yet to be named.
The resignation of the three officials came days after resigned Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co claimed that Marcos had directed him to insert P100 billion worth of projects in the 2025 national budget.
In a video statement aired last Friday, Co, who has been tied to alleged kickbacks from questionable flood control structures, alleged that Pangandaman, the younger Bersamin and resigned House speaker and Marcos’ cousin Martin Romualdez had direct knowledge of the insertions.
Last Saturday, the President said he would not dignify Co’s accusations, which have been dismissed by Malacañang as “hearsay.”
However, Castro acknowledged that the statements of the former lawmaker may have prodded the former Cabinet officials to step down.
“We cannot say that the allegations of Zaldy Co are serious. We have heard his statements and have seen his photos. But whatever he said, they may have provided the reasons for our two brave secretaries to resign voluntarily and to give way to a deeper probe into the anomalous flood control projects,” Castro said.
The leadership changes constitute the second major shake-up in the administration of Marcos, who implemented a performance audit of officials this year.
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Asked if the public can expect another Cabinet reshuffle, Castro replied: “If, for example, a member of the Cabinet thinks she is involved or may be involved in this kind of anomaly, the President would want them to resign.”
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Not off the hook
Castro gave assurance that their resignation would not spare the former officials from the investigation. She reiterated that no one, not even the President, would be exempted from the probe.
“Of course, nobody should be exempted. But the President knows what he is doing. He knows why he ordered the investigation and he led the deeper investigation into (the issue). That he ordered the investigation, we can be sure that his intentions are clean,” the Palace press officer said.
Castro said the leadership changes “reinforce the President’s commitment to strengthening institutions, improving coordination across government and keeping the administration focused on delivering stability, opportunity and security to Filipino families.”
Castro heaped praises on Bersamin and Pangandaman and thanked them for their contributions to the administration.
“A former chief justice, ES (Executive Secretary) Bersamin brought to Malacañang decades of legal wisdom, calm stewardship and a deep respect for institution building. His contributions remain part of the foundation on which continuing reforms stand,” Castro said.
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“The President likewise extends his sincere gratitude to secretary Pangandaman whose work at DBM (Department of Budget and Management) strengthened the government’s fiscal management, guided the timely passage of national budgets and ensured that social programs and frontline services were funded and delivered,” she added.
Caught off guard
Recto said he was caught off guard by his appointment as executive secretary, which was announced while he was on the Senate floor attending the plenary debates on the proposed 2026 national budget.
Recto, who confirmed that the public announcement was the first formal notice he received, said he has yet to speak with President Marcos.
“Yes. It was announced – that was the formal information. I haven’t talked yet with BBM, because I’m here. I’m surprised but yeah, work has to continue,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the session.
He said he expects his new role as executive secretary as one focused on tightening government operations rather than wielding political power.
“Essentially the work of the ES is just governance, so taong-bahay ka don (minding the house) – how do you make improved government services, get departments to work faster, ensure that we follow the Philippine Development Plan. So I think that’s my role,” he said.
“There’s no such thing as little president. You can’t do miracles, but having said that, our job is to improve governance… essentially that’s what it is, at taong bahay tayo dyan,” he added.
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Recto said his final instruction at the Department of Finance was simply to stay the course.
Pangandaman tendered her resignation shortly after Co’s allegations surfaced, and Marcos’ acceptance of it was announced while she was attending the same Senate debates. Asked whether her resignation suggests the accusations were true, Recto disagreed.
“I don’t think so. She is giving the President a free hand to investigate all the departments,” he said.
Toledo, for his part, said he learned of his appointment only moments before then outgoing Pangandaman left the Senate plenary debates on the proposed 2026 national budget, where both officials were present.
Amenah’s choice
He told reporters he had received no official communication about the transition prior to Malacañang’s public announcement accepting Pangandaman’s resignation.
“No official communication’s been sent to me so I don’t know how to answer your questions,” Toledo told reporters on the sidelines of the Senate session on the 2026 budget, when pressed on the circumstances of his appointment.
He said he was informed Pangandaman recommended him as a replacement shortly before she stepped out of the session hall to leave the Senate.
“I was surprised actually. Nanginginig pa nga ako ngayon e (I’m still quivering now). I don’t know, I was told only before she left… because she will attend a meeting. I was told it’s my name that she had submitted,” he said.
Despite the abrupt transition, Toledo said he expects the DBM to continue its work smoothly.
With his designation as the new DOF chief, Go said he acknowledges the hurdles and prospects that lie ahead and remains dedicated to advancing the nation’s fiscal stability and driving sustainable economic expansion.
“It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I take on this role. Recognizing the challenges and opportunities ahead, I am fully committed to promoting fiscal strength and sustainable economic growth for the country,” Go said in a statement.
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“I look forward to working closely with our partners in government, the private sector and the international community to pursue shared prosperity and a brighter future for all Filipinos,” Go said.
Earlier yesterday, Recto denied he had been offered the post of executive secretary. “There is no offer, there is nothing to accept. I remain as DOF, I am here as secretary of the DOF,” he said.
When pressed on whether a Cabinet revamp was underway, Recto claimed no knowledge of such development, noting that he had not attended meetings or discussions where a possible reorganization may have been tackled.
On Sunday, Bersamin brushed aside reports that he would be replaced by Recto, emphasizing that he had no knowledge of how such speculation had surfaced.
Last September, Bersamin refuted claims made by former public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo that his office had demanded a 15-percent cut on a billion-peso infrastructure project.
Recently, the Palace appointed finance undersecretary Charlie Martin Mendoza as new commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, replacing Romeo Lumagui Jr.
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After Mendoza’s appointment, Recto thanked Lumagui for being “a great partner” and “fearless leader.” He also noted that the BIR under Mendoza is in good hands. — Neil Jayson Servallos, Marco Luis Beech
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