Lucas Bersamin: I did not resign

Former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin denied Wednesday that he resigned from his post, contrary to the statement of Malacañang that he quit from the Cabinet.

''Hindi ko alam paano nagsimula 'yan na nagresign ako. Inannounce siguro 'yan pero wala akong resignation na finile. Kasi, sinabi na, lumabas nabasa ko na lang I resigned out of delicadeza. Masarap pakinggan 'yung out of delicadeza pero hindi naman totoo 'yan. Hindi ako nagresign,'' Bersamin told Palace reporters.

(I don't know how it started that I resigned. I think it was announced but I didn't file any resignation. I just read that I resigned out of delicadeza. It's good to the ears .. out of delicadeza but it's not true. I did not resign.)

''The only letter I sent regarding my position na wala na was that letter I signed yesterday late afternoon na sinabi ko (when I said) I bow to the prerogative of the President...'' Bersamin added.

Bersamin, however, admitted that his ''close friend'' called him last Monday morning, telling him that he had to ''exit'' as executive secretary.

Bersamin said he was able to talk to the President on Monday evening. However, he did not elaborate. 

''Those matters are between him and me, because as of that time, although inannounce na nagresign ako at tinanggap na at inannounce na 'yung sumunod sa akin, I was still... technically speaking, on hold over. Covered pa din by this technical protection of confidentiality,'' Bersamin said.

(Those matters are between him and me, because as of that time, although it was announced that I already resigned and my replacement was announced, I was still... technically speaking, on hold over. It's still covered by this technical protection of confidentiality.)

While he admitted that he felt bad when it was announced that he resigned, Bersamin said he could not blame the Presidential Communications Office for that.

''I felt bad somehow but I am not going to waste time worrying about the nuance or way they did it because maybe they're also at instruction or even the pressure na mayroon akong resignation. I cannot blame them for that,'' he said. 

Bersamin said he is assuming that the PCO has a basis for its announcement.

''Wala na akong karapatan na magtanong pa sa kanila (I have no right to ask them). I'll just assumed na they were acting on the basis of some... they had their own basis. But I am disputing 'yung statement nila that I resigned because I did not,'' he said. 

GMA News Online asked the PCO regarding Bersamin's remarks but it has yet to reply as of posting time. 

No involvement in flood control controversy

Bersamin also denied any involvement in the flood control controversy.

"I vehemently deny the imputation against me that I said anything to Sec. (Manny) Bonoan that ‘we will take care of it’ regarding the supposed facilitation of the P52 billion," Bersamin said.

"(Former DPWH Usec Roberto) Bernardo could not be a credible source of relevant information if his knowledge looks and sounds like at least triple hearsay,” he added. 

Bersamin's denial came after Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said that Bersamin  will "take care" of the P52 billion insertions in the budget.

Lacson cited his information from former Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary (DPWH) Roberto Bernardo.

On Monday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman have resigned from their posts out of delicadeza after their names were dragged in the flood control projects mess. — RSJ/RF, GMA Integrated News