MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration is facing renewed scrutiny after the sudden departure of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, both of whom were announced by Malacañang as having “resigned” to allow investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects to move forward.
The Palace on Wednesday confirmed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had accepted their resignations, noting that the two officials stepped down “out of delicadeza” following questions raised about the involvement of their offices in infrastructure funding anomalies. Their exits come amid ongoing probes led by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and congressional committees examining alleged manipulation of flood control budgets.
However, Bersamin disputed the Palace’s announcement, telling reporters that he “did not resign” and that the only communication he sent placed his position under the President’s authority — a standard courtesy letter that, he said, was not meant to signify a voluntary exit. Bersamin expressed surprise that Malacañang publicly declared his resignation without consulting him, insisting he has not been involved in any anomalous dealings.
Budget Secretary Pangandaman has not publicly disputed the Palace statement but has denied any wrongdoing, saying all DBM processes were aboveboard and compliant with existing laws. Her department had earlier been linked to alleged questionable reallocations for flood control projects flagged by lawmakers.
Malacañang, through PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro, maintained that both Bersamin and Pangandaman submitted letters that constituted resignations, and that the President accepted them in order to preserve transparency as the investigations proceed. Castro insisted the Palace acted within its prerogative when it released the announcement, emphasizing that Marcos retains “full trust” in both outgoing officials.
In the wake of Bersamin’s departure, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto has been appointed as the new Executive Secretary. Recto himself said he learned of the appointment at the same time as the public, but vowed to focus on strengthening governance, streamlining government processes, and ensuring agencies stay aligned with the administration’s development agenda. Special Assistant to the President Frederick Go will take over Recto’s position at the Department of Finance, while Budget Undersecretary Rolando Toledo has been designated as DBM officer-in-charge.
The controversy surrounding Bersamin and Pangandaman stems from allegations that certain political figures sought favors, insertions, or kickbacks linked to flood control programs — claims both officials strongly deny. Bersamin, in particular, has criticized what he described as attempts to drag him into politically motivated accusations.
Despite the turmoil, Malacañang expressed gratitude for the pair’s service, citing Bersamin’s “steady leadership” and Pangandaman’s role in keeping the national budget and fiscal operations on track. The administration also reiterated its commitment to let the investigations proceed unhindered.
As the reshuffle unfolds, questions continue to loom over the depth of the alleged anomalies and the implications of Bersamin’s public denial, setting the stage for increasing political tension within the Marcos Cabinet.
