Bersamin says Marcos declined his courtesy resignation

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has declined the courtesy resignation of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

Bersamin announced this during a press conference on Friday, noting that he still enjoys the President's trust and confidence.

''The President declined the courtesy resignation that I tendered. Just this morning, he communicated to me that I have his full backing for as long as I wish to work for him,'' he said.

Bersamin, meanwhile, denied that the call for courtesy resignations was supposedly aimed at certain secretaries.

''There was a lot of misinformation yesterday about this reorganization being triggered in order to target me or remove me from office. Lahat ng Cabinet members, presidential advisers, and other presidential appointees are always subject to the will of the President of the Republic of the Philippines,'' the executive secretary said.

''Wala kaming ilusyon na panghawakan ang kanya-kanyang pwesto at oras na gusto ng Pangulo na palitan kami o umalis kami sa pwesto, gagawin namin 'yun dahil para kaming mga ordinary soldier lamang,'' he added.

Bersamin further said he is not anymore concerned with the information being proliferated against him amid the Cabinet shakeup.

''Binabatikos pa rin ako, hindi na sila humihinto, alam ninyo hindi na sa akin 'yan tumatama eh... sila na mismo dahil sinungaling sila. Ganon lang... I'm not that concerned, hindi na natin pag-uusapan 'yan,'' he said. 

Bersamin also said members of the economic team have retained their posts.

He said Trade Secretary Cristina Roque; Finance Secretary Ralph Recto; Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan; Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go will keep their posts. 

''Itong lima na ito ay magpapatuloy sa kanilang panunungkulan, paninilbihan sa ating taumbayan, at makakaasa kayo na sila naman ay sinsero o dedicated sa kanilang sinumpaang katungkulan,'' Bersamin said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Tess Lazaro will replace Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

Lazaro’s appointment will be effective on July 31 as Manalo will be transferred to the United Nations, Bersamin said. —AOL, GMA Integrated News