No internal probe only 'regular' performance review on Cabinet members —Palace

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro on Thursday maintained that there is no internal investigation among Cabinet members but only a "regular" performance review. 

During a press briefing, Castro was asked if there is an ongoing internal investigation within the Cabinet following the removal of former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and former Budget chief Amenah Pangandaman, with both names being dragged in the flood control projects mess.

''Parang wala po akong masasabi na lahat ay under investigation. So ang maaari lamang po isinasagawa ng Pangulo ay 'yung performance ng bawat Gabinete at 'yun naman ay usual at regular,'' Castro responded. 

(I can't say that everyone is under investigation so maybe the President was just doing a performance review of each Cabinet member which is usual and regular.)

''Pero kung patungkol po sa mga sinasabi nating maanomalyang flood control projects at wala naman pong nababanggit o nasasabi, parang hindi naman po kailangang magimbestiga po dito,'' she added. 

(But as regards the anomalous flood control projects, there's no need to investigate them if they were not mentioned.)

Bersamin had denied that he resigned from his post, contrary to the statement of Malacañang that he quit from the Cabinet.

He also denied any involvement in the flood control controversy.

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.

For her part, Pangandaman maintained that she had worked with "sincerity and determination" to make sure that institutions were strengthened and that public funds worked for the Filipino people.

At the pleasure of the President

Meanwhile, Castro denied that there is a pattern of unceremonious removals in the Cabinet, noting that they all serve at the pleasure of the President.

''Tandaan po natin, lahat naman po kami ang aming service ay upon the pleasure of the President,'' Castro said.

(Let's remember, we all serve upon the pleasure of the President.)

''Sabi nga nila pagpasok mo dito hindi mo alam kung ito na iyong huling araw mo. So, lahat po kami dapat ay handa doon,'' she added.

(Just like what they said, you'll never know if this is your last day here. So we should all be prepared for that.) — VAL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News