Former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday contradicted Malacañang’s announcement that he resigned “out of delicadeza” amid allegations linking him to multibillion-peso budget insertions.
“Masarap pakinggan ‘yung out of delicadeza pero hindi totoo ‘yan. Hindi ako nag-resign,” Bersamin told Palace reporters, clarifying that the only letter he submitted merely affirmed that he serves at the President’s pleasure.
“I bow to the prerogative of the President… I serve at the pleasure of the President. Pero resignation? Wala.”
He admitted feeling disappointed that the Presidential Communications Office announced his supposed resignation without consulting him, though he added, “Maybe they were also under instruction… I cannot blame them.”
The PCO earlier said both Bersamin and former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman stepped down to allow investigations into alleged flood control budget anomalies.
Bersamin, however, rejected not only the resignation narrative but also insinuations that he was behind ₱52 billion in questionable insertions.
“The Office of the Executive Secretary does not handle insertions. Hindi namin trabaho ‘yan,” he said.
Asked about suggestions that he was the “mastermind,” he replied: “Malaki kasi hindi ko alam ‘yung mga ganyan.”
A former chief justice, Bersamin stressed that accusations must be proven in court, not through Senate hearings or online rumors.
“Dapat guarded naman para hindi masira ang reputasyon ng mga tao,” he said.
He also threw down a challenge to his critics: “If they want to charge me as mastermind, file it. Kung chismis lang, huwag naman.”