Malacañang on Thursday clarified that there is no internal investigation among Cabinet members, describing recent actions as a routine performance review instead.

During a press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer, Atty. Claire Castro

“Parang wala po akong masasabi na lahat ay under investigation, so ang maaari lamang po isinasagawa ng Pangulo ay 'yung performance ng bawat Gabinete at 'yun naman ay usual at regular (I can't say that everyone is under investigation, so maybe the President was just doing a performance review of each Cabinet member, which is usual and regular),” Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer, Atty. Claire Castro told reporters in a press briefing when asked whether the Palace had launched an investigation following the removal of former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and former Budget Chief Amenah Pangandaman. 

Bersamin and Pangandaman, whose names were linked to controversial flood control projects.

Castro also downplayed concerns over certain Cabinet members being linked to the controversial flood control projects.

“As regards the anomalous flood control projects, there’s no need to investigate them if they were not mentioned,” she said. 

Bersamin had earlier denied resigning from his post, contrary to Malacañang’s statement that he had stepped down. He also rejected any involvement in the flood control controversy.

At a plenary session, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson alleged that Bersamin would “take care” of the P52 billion insertions in the national budget, citing information from former Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

Meanwhile, Pangandaman asserted that she had worked with “sincerity and determination” to ensure the strengthening of institutions and the proper use of public funds for the benefit of Filipinos.