Budget chief Pangandaman thanks Marcos, cites reforms in DBM

Resigned Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said she worked with "sincerity and determination" to make sure that institutions were strengthened and that public funds worked for the Filipino people.

In a statement after Malacañang announced that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr., accepted her resignation and that of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Pangandaman said she resigned "with a sincere desire to uphold the integrity of public service."

"I believe this is the most honorable path to allow our nation to move forward with clarity and unity. I am deeply grateful to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the trust and opportunity to serve our people," Pangandaman said.

"I also extend my heartfelt thanks to my DBM family and to our partners in government, civil society, the academe, and the private sector," she added.

Pangandaman said she advanced the following reforms during her stint in the Cabinet:

• Passage and implementation of the New Government Procurement Act;
• Institutionalization of the Philippine Open Government Partnership; t
• Passage of the Government Optimization Act;
• Modernization of our Public Financial Management systems through digital innovations such as the Budget and Treasury Management System, blockchain-enabled budget tracking; and
• Revival of Project DIME.

Pangandaman said she also protected people-centered investments in education, social protection, and climate resilience; supported BARMM’s transition to meaningful autonomy; championed Women, Peace, and Security; and strengthened the welfare of government workers through salary adjustments, medical allowances, and improved career policies.

"Serving as the first Muslim Budget Secretary—and the only Filipina Muslim in the Cabinet—has been the greatest honor of my life," Pangandaman said.

"My hope is that the reforms we built together continue to grow in the service of transparency, accountability, and peace," she added.

"I pray for our nation’s strength and healing. I will continue to support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in my private capacity, as my heart will always remain committed to serving the Filipino people," Pangandaman said.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Bersamin and Pangandaman resigned voluntarily out of propriety after their names were mentioned in the ongoing investigation of the flood control projects controversy.

Both officials have denied any involvement in the alleged massive corruption that attended the implementation of the projects. –NB, GMA Integrated News