The resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman may have sparked talk of more courtesy resignations, as both left their posts “out of delicadeza” (propriety) to allow the President to conduct independent probes into the offices they once led.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, however, clarified that no other Cabinet members have submitted resignation letters to the President so far.
Only DepEd Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar tendered his courtesy resignation after being named in connection with the flood control scandal.
Will Angara follow suit?
Secretary Sonny Angara was also named among the officials who allegedly benefited from kickbacks in anomalous flood control projects. He has denied the allegation.
In Malacañang, Castro treated questions about Angara’s resignation as “hypothetical,” saying the decision rested with the official himself.
“If Secretary Angara believes that he is clean and has nothing to worry about, he does not need to submit his resignation,” she said.
Castro emphasized that Bersamin’s and Pangandaman’s resignations were entirely voluntary — “no one, not even the President, forced them.”
“Let us be clear: both the Executive Secretary and Secretary Mina resigned out of delicadeza, and they want any investigation to be conducted freely,” she said. “Even though ES Lucas Bersamin and Secretary Mina resigned, the President still has confidence in them.”
Lawmakers, AFP reassured
Several members of the Lower House have expressed support for President Marcos’ leadership.
Castro thanked them, noting that their stance showed they cannot be easily swayed by political noise.
“They know that everything being thrown at the President — the chaos, the destabilizers’ noise — is just that: noise,” she said.
Meanwhile, military and uniformed personnel were assured they have nothing to worry about despite the political storm around the Commander-in-Chief.
“Senator Imee’s allegations are baseless — a worthless story, a swindler’s story. Why should AFP members be concerned? These allegations should not be taken seriously — it’s just noise,” Castro said.