Bersamin, DBM chief resign

MANILA, Philippines, November 18 ------ With their names dragged into the controversy over corruption in flood control projects, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman have resigned to give way to an investigation.

President Marcos accepted the resignation of the two officials, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing yesterday. “Both officials respectfully offered and tendered their resignations out of delicadeza after their departments were mentioned in allegations related to the flood control anomaly currently under investigation and in recognition of the responsibility to allow the administration to address the matter appropriately,” Castro said.

Minutes after the press briefing, she announced the resignation of Presidential Legislative Liaison Office chief Adrian Bersamin, who is a son of the nephew of the elder Bersamin. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto has been named Bersamin’s replacement while Budget Undersecretary Rolando Toledo has replaced Pangandaman as officer-in-charge. Prior to the designation, Toledo led the budget preparation and execution group.

Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go, a former business executive, will succeed Recto as finance secretary. The replacements for Go and the younger Bersamin have yet to be named.

The resignation of the three officials came days after resigned Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co claimed that Marcos had directed him to insert P100 billion worth of projects in the 2025 national budget. In a video statement aired last Friday, Co, who has been tied to alleged kickbacks from questionable flood control structures, alleged that Pangandaman, the younger Bersamin and resigned House speaker and Marcos’ cousin Martin Romualdez had direct knowledge of the insertions.

Last Saturday, the President said he would not dignify Co’s accusations, which have been dismissed by Malacañang as “hearsay.” However, Castro acknowledged that the statements of the former lawmaker may have prodded the former Cabinet officials to step down. “We cannot say that the allegations of Zaldy Co are serious. We have heard his statements and have seen his photos. But whatever he said, they may have provided the reasons for our two brave secretaries to resign voluntarily and to give way to a deeper probe into the anomalous flood control projects,” Castro said.

The leadership changes constitute the second major shake-up in the administration of Marcos, who implemented a performance audit of officials this year. Asked if the public can expect another Cabinet reshuffle, Castro replied: “If, for example, a member of the Cabinet thinks she is involved or may be involved in this kind of anomaly, the President would want them to resign.”

Source: philstar.com