MANILA — Malacañang on Tuesday signaled a tougher stance on the widening flood control corruption scandal, urging all Cabinet officials who may be implicated in the controversy to step down “out of delicadeza” to allow a credible, unhindered investigation.
The call came from Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accepted the courtesy resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman — two of the highest-ranking officials dragged into allegations of irregular fund insertions and questionable budget practices.
Pressed on whether the President would demand the resignation of other officials linked to the alleged anomalies, Castro made it clear that Malacañang expects those involved to remove themselves from office without prompting.
“Kung alam po halimbawa 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,” she said.
The resignations followed explosive accusations made by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who claimed a supposed “15% commitment” to the Office of the Executive Secretary tied to P2.85 billion worth of flood control projects.
Bersamin has strongly denied the allegation, saying his office “had no role” in DPWH budget allocations.
Pangandaman, meanwhile, was named by former Ako Bicol congressman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co in a video exposé, accusing her of relaying instructions from President Marcos to insert P100 billion into the 2025 national budget during bicameral meetings — a claim she has categorically denied.
Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin also resigned, with Castro saying the move was similarly made “out of delicadeza.”
Co had mentioned him in the same video, alleging he was asked to verify the President’s supposed budget instructions during a meeting.
Castro said Co’s revelations may have factored into the Cabinet members’ decision to relinquish their posts.
“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./PN
