Bersamin says he was replaced, not resigned: ‘I never filed any resignation’

Former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday refuted claims that he resigned from his post, insisting that Malacañang’s announcement of his supposed “resignation out of delicadeza” was inaccurate.

In a phone interview with reporters, Bersamin said he was surprised by the Palace narrative.

“Hindi ko alam kung paano nagsimula ’yan—na nag-resign ako. In-announce siguro ’yan pero wala akong resignation na finile (I don’t know how it started that I resigned. It was announced, but I didn’t file a resignation),” he said. 

“Masarap pakinggan ang out of delicadeza. Pero hindi naman totoo ’yan, di ako nag-resign (It’s good to hear out of delicadeza. But it’s not true, I did not resign),” he added. 

Bersamin clarified that the only written communication he submitted was a letter acknowledging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s prerogative to replace him.

“I did not resign. The only letter I sent regarding my position was the letter I signed yesterday late afternoon when I said—I bow to the prerogative of the President,” he said. 

“I submit to the prerogative of the President to replace me. That is the nature of my tenure—at the pleasure of the President.”

He further emphasized: “I will not also validate na may resignation ako kung wala (if I have nothing).”

‘Accepting the decision’

The former Executive Secretary recounted that a close friend notified him that he would be replaced.

“I said, no problem. I will accept that because I am only serving at the pleasure of the President,” he said.

Asked if he sought any explanation for his removal, Bersamin replied: “I didn’t ask. I know that if it’s a prerogative, the President does not need a reason.”

Bersamin also confirmed that he spoke with Marcos on Monday evening, after the Palace publicly announced his supposed resignation and the appointment of his successor. 

However, he declined to discuss the details of their conversation.

“Those matters are between him and me,” Bersamin said, noting that he was still “technically on holdover” at the time, bound by confidentiality.

The former Chief Justice reflected on his long years in government service.

“Thirty-four years in the Judiciary, nearly three years in GSIS, and this one—over three years. So I could understand quickly the impact. When you serve at the pleasure of the President, no reason is necessary,” he said. 

Mismatch in messaging?

Pressed on the Palace Press Officer, Atty. Claire Catro’s claim that he resigned “out of delicadeza,” Bersamin said, he could not explain the inconsistency.

“I do not know. You ask them. Without consulting me, the messaging should be clear,” he said.

Bersamin likewise admitted feeling “bad somehow” about how the transition was publicly framed but refrained from blaming Palace staff.

“I felt bad somehow, but I am not going to waste time worrying about the new ones or the way they did it because maybe they were also under instruction or given the impression that I have a resignation,” he said.  

“I cannot blame them for that. I just would like to correct the impression that I resigned. I never did resign,” he added. 

Bersamin clarified that he harbors no resentment about being replaced, saying he fully understands the nature of serving “at the pleasure of the President.”

“There's a disappointment, but that's not a bad feeling. Because you do not expect that you can be out of the office so quickly… but I am aware of the nature of serving at the pleasure of the President,” Bersamin said, noting that in his tenure, he had also carried out instructions to remove or replace other officials. 

“I have the experience. So anyway, hindi ko mamasamain ‘yan at hindi ako disappointed,” he added. 

What Bersamin took issue with, however, was how the announcement about his departure was handled.

“For me, when they make an announcement about my personal situation—like did I resign or not—they should have consulted me first. That’s courtesy, right? Don’t announce it when you’re the last to be told,” he said.

He added that the lack of prior notice made it difficult to respond to questions from colleagues and the public.

Meanwhile, Bersamin dismissed allegations linking him to a supposed P52-billion budget insertion.

“The Office of the Executive Secretary does not have anything to do with insertions or budget,” he said. “Our own budget is what we submit, but we have nothing to do with the budget of other agencies. We don’t do that.”

He further stressed, “We have nothing to do with that. It is not part of our job.”