Retired Chief Justice and former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin has sent a letter to President Bongbong Marcos, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the President’s Cabinet.
In his letter dated Wednesday, November 19, Bersamin thanked the President for allowing him to serve as the 40th Executive Secretary under the Office of the President.
“My holding the office of Executive Secretary was subject to your presidential prerogative to which I hereby freely and completely submit myself,” Bersamin began.
He continued, “With the announcement of the appointment of Secretary Ralph Recto as the incoming Executive Secretary, allow me to convey my heartfelt gratitude for the unique opportunity to have served as the 40th Executive Secretary in the Office of the President.”
Bersamin said it was a great honor to serve as Executive Secretary, noting that the role capped nearly four decades of his government service.
“It has been my great honor serving as the Executive Secretary to cap my nearly four decades of government service, thirty-three years of which were in the Judiciary culminating in my tenure as the 25th Chief Justice of the Philippines,” he wrote.
He also assured the President that he would ensure a smooth transition for incoming Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.
“Rest assured that I will oversee the smooth turnover to Sec. Recto of the functions and responsibilities of the Office of the Executive Secretary. Accordingly, I have directed my staff to extend full assistance to enable a seamless transition to the new Executive Secretary,” he said.
“I remain committed to the vision of this Administration towards a Bagong Pilipinas,” Bersamin added.
It may be recalled that both Lucas Bersamin and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman stepped down from their posts on Monday, November 17, following the acceptance of their resignations by the President.
Former senator and former Finance Secretary Ralph Recto took his oath as the new Executive Secretary on Wednesday.
Despite the development, Bersamin clarified in an interview that same day that he did not resign from his post.