Bersamin: Marcos ‘declined’ my courtesy resignation
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Friday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declined to accept his courtesy resignation.
“The president declined the courtesy resignation that I tendered,” he said in a press conference.
“Just this morning, he communicated to me that I have his full backing as long as I wish to work for him. And that is a very good gesture from the president because that is a sign of his manifestation of his full trust and confidence in me,” he added.
READ: Marcos orders courtesy resignation of all Cabinet secretaries
Bersamin made the announcement after misinformation spread online, alleging that Marcos’ call for courtesy resignations from Cabinet members was aimed at removing him from office.
“There was a lot of misinformation yesterday about this reorganization being triggered in order to target me or to remove me from office,” he said.
Bersamin emphasized that the tenures of all Cabinet members, presidential advisers, and other presidential appointees are subject to the discretion of the president.
“We have no illusion of clinging to our respective positions, and when the president wants to replace us or have us step down, we will do so because we are just like ordinary soldiers,” he added.
On Thursday, Marcos ordered all Cabinet secretaries to submit their courtesy resignations as part of his administration’s revamp following the results of the national and local elections.
“This is not business as usual,” Marcos said.
“The people have spoken, and they expect results — not politics, not excuses. We hear them, and we will act,” he added. “It’s time to realign government with the people’s expectations.”/mcm
