After revealing on Wednesday that he had not resigned but was instead removed from his post, former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said he did not see the need for an explanation, nor did he think it appropriate to ask.
When asked whether an explanation for his removal was provided, Bersamin said in an exclusive interview on DZRH’s Breaktime that the matter was not discussed and that demanding one would be disrespectful of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s prerogative.
“Hindi kasama sa usapan namin ‘yun. And I did not need to require him to give me the reason, kasi that’s already contrary to the exercise of his Presidential prerogative. Kung sasabihin mo pa, hihingin mo pa na, ‘Bakit? Bakit, anong kasalanan ko?’ Hindi na. Welcome it and just live with it,” he told the anchors.
Bersamin recounted that he had received a call from a friend known to be connected to the President as well, who told him that he must leave the Cabinet as executive secretary.
“I believed him, and immediately I communicated to the President that I have no problem,” he said.
In response to whether he confronted Marcos as to why the news had not been delivered to him directly, Bersamin said that was not in his nature to do.
“Hindi ako ganoon. Magalang ako na tao, marespeto, at hindi ako nag-confrontational. Nature ko kasi, kung pribilehiyo ng Presidente ‘yan, respetuhin ko. Okay na ‘yan, palalampasin ko lahat ‘yan. Kung may kaunting problema man diyan, hindi ko gagawin na isyu ‘yan,” the former ES said.
He disclosed that, contrary to the Palace’s statement regarding his resignation “out of delicadeza,” he did not resign and knew nothing of the arrangements for his removal and replacement.
“Hindi ako nag-resign kasi hindi ko naman alam. Late morning of Lunes, may tumawag sa’kin at sinabihan ako na ‘Umalis ka na sa cabinet as executive secretary.’ So sabi ko, ‘Wala akong problema diyan. I can immediately do that.’ Pero wala pa akong finile na sulat diyan,” Bersamin said.
“Wala naman akong binibigay na sulat e. Now I just want to make that clear kasi, lilinawin ko, although maganda kung pakinggan ‘yung ‘out of delicadeza,’ hindi rin naman puwedeng sabihin ko na totoo ‘yan, dahil wala akong sinabing ganyan,” he went on
He added that the Palace announced his resignation and revealed the official taking his place a day before he signed and submitted a letter to the President, wherein he wrote that he submits to his prerogative.
On Monday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro broke the news of Bersamin’s supposed resignation. Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto assumed his post, and was sworn in on Wednesday.
