MALACANANG on Monday advised other government officials who might be involved in anomalies to consider resigning from their posts “out of delicadeza” in order to give way to an in-depth probe of the allegations. The statement comes in the wake of the resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who were both mentioned in the controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro made the remarks during a press briefing, where she was asked if the Palace would issue a call to other Cabinet members to quit their posts if they are implicated in the flood control anomalies. “Kung alam po halimbawa po ng isang miyembro ng Gabinete na siya po ay may kinalaman o maaari siyang masangkot sa ganitong klaseng anomalya, nanaisin po ng Pangulo na sila po mismo ang mag-resign out of delicadeza,” Castro stated, emphasizing the President’s preference for officials to voluntarily step down if they are aware of their potential involvement in such irregularities.
Castro also highlighted that the claims made by former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co may have prompted Bersamin and Pangandaman to voluntarily resign from their posts to allow for an impartial investigation. “Kung anuman ang kaniyang mga nasabi ay maaaring ito ang nagbigay ng dahilan para sa dalawang mga magigiting nating mga secretaries na sila mismo ang boluntaryong mag-resign sa kanilang posisyon para mabigyang-daan ang malalimang pag-iimbestiga sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects,” she said.
Castro further emphasized that the investigation would not exempt anyone, even President Marcos himself. “Wala naman talagang dapat ma-exempt. Pero ang Pangulo alam po niya ang kaniyang ginagawa. Alam po niya kung bakit niya pinaiimbestigahan at pinangunahan ang malalimang pag-iimbestiga na ito,” Castro asserted, underscoring the President’s commitment to transparency and accountability. She also noted that Bersamin’s nephew, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin, also tendered his resignation out of delicadeza, which the President accepted.
