Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Friday confirmed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. rejected the courtesy resignation he tendered, reaffirming the chief executive’s full trust in him despite ongoing reorganization efforts in the administration.
“As far as I am concerned, the President declined the courtesy resignation that I tendered,” Bersamin told reporters in a press briefing.
“This morning, he communicated to me that I have his full backing for as long as I wish to work for him,” he added.
The Executive Secretary emphasized that the President’s decision is a strong show of confidence in his leadership and role in the Cabinet.
“That is a very good gesture from the President because that is a sign of his manifestation of his full trust and confidence in myself,” Bersamin said.
He also addressed what he described as misinformation surrounding the recent wave of courtesy resignations, clarifying that the reorganization was not aimed at removing him from office.
“There was a lot of misinformation yesterday about this reorganization being triggered in order to target me or to remove me from office,” Bersamin said.
“All Cabinet members, presidential advisers, and other presidential appointees are always subject to the will of the President,” he added.
The Executive Secretary reiterated that all officials serve at the pleasure of the President and likened their roles to that of soldiers who must be ready to step down when called upon.
“As soon as the President wants to replace us or remove us, we will comply. We are just like ordinary soldiers, we are soldiers,” Bersamin said.
