President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has formally accepted the resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced today.
PCO Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed the developments during a press briefing on Monday. She stated that both officials “respectfully offered and tendered their resignations out of delicadeza,” after their departments were referenced in allegations related to an ongoing investigation into a flood control anomaly. The move, according to Castro, was made “in recognition of the responsibility to allow the administration to address the matter appropriately.”
President Marcos Jr. conveyed his “deep appreciation” to both former officials for their service.
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Former Executive Secretary Bersamin (a former Chief Justice) was lauded for bringing “decades of legal wisdom, calm stewardship, and a deep respect for institution-building” to the Office of the Executive Secretary.
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Former DBM Secretary Pangandaman was thanked for her work in “strengthening the government’s fiscal management, guiding the timely passage of national budgets, and ensuring that social programs and frontline services were funded and delivered.”
President Marcos Jr. has immediately moved to fill the key roles to ensure continuity of government operations and the acceleration of the administration’s economic agenda.
| Position | New Appointee/Designation | Previous Role | Rationale Highlights |
| Executive Secretary | Ralph Recto | Finance Secretary | “Long record in economic policymaking, fiscal legislation, and national planning” to oversee day-to-day government operations and program implementation. |
| Finance Secretary | Frederick Go | Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs | “Played a central role in advancing investments, strengthening investor confidence,” will now oversee the country’s fiscal direction and economic agenda. |
| DBM Officer-in-Charge | Undersecretary Rolando U. Toledo | Head of the Budget Preparation and Execution Group | “Extensive technical expertise in national budgeting, fiscal transparency, and budget execution,” ensuring uninterrupted operations during budget preparations. |
Castro emphasized that the changes in the Cabinet “reinforce the President’s commitment to strengthening institutions, improving coordination across government, and keeping the administration focused on delivering stability, opportunity, and security to Filipino families.”
The Office of the President assured the public that all government agencies will “continue to operate without interruption and with the same commitment to effective governance and public service.”
