Former executive secretary Lucas Bersamin stated he did not resign but willingly stepped down after being informed of his replacement. This contradicts Malacañang's announcement of his resignation alongside budget chief Amenah Pangandaman amid a controversy over budget insertions and flood control projects. Ralph Recto replaced him and took his oath on Monday.
In a phone interview with reporters, Bersamin said he did not file a resignation letter and that Malacañang's announcement preceded his actions. “I don’t know how it started that I resigned. Maybe it was announced. But I didn’t file a resignation, because it was announced that I resigned out of delicadeza. It’s nice to hear ‘out of delicadeza,’ but that’s not true. I didn’t resign,” he stated.
On Monday, November 17, Malacañang announced the "resignation" of Bersamin and Pangandaman due to allegations of anomalies in flood control and budget insertions. Recto, former finance chief, took his oath alongside Frederick Go as acting Finance secretary. Bersamin said he received a call from a close friend before noon on Monday informing him he had to leave. “Somebody, a close friend of mine... called me up... to tell me that I have to go... so I said, ‘no problem. I will accept that because I am only serving at the pleasure of the President,’” he recounted.
On Tuesday, he sent a letter to Malacañang supporting the President's decision to replace him. He also met with President Marcos on Monday night but did not disclose details due to confidentiality. He admitted feeling bad about the way Palace press officer Claire Castro announced it, but he would not blame others.
He rejected Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson's linking him to the alleged P100-billion bicameral insertions, saying his office had no involvement. “That is a big problem because I do not know about those. The Office of the Executive Secretary does not have anything to do with insertions or budget,” he said. He is ready to face any charges in court, not the Senate.
Despite his exit, Bersamin said the Philippines is safer under President Marcos than Vice President Sara Duterte. “I’m not disparaging (Duterte) and her qualifications, but I think it’s safer for the Philippines to stay with President Marcos,” he told One News. He praised Marcos as the most qualified candidate.
House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan lauded Recto's appointment, highlighting his experience in government and economics. Meanwhile, Go announced his Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs would be dissolved.