MANILA, Philippines — Former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin has denied that he voluntarily resigned from his post, contradicting statements released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) earlier this week.

In a phone interview on Wednesday, Bersamin clarified that his departure was made “at the pleasure of the president”, following instructions from a close friend outside Malacañang.

“I resigned out of delicadeza. It’s nice to hear that, but that’s not true. I did not resign,” he said.

Bersamin also rejected allegations linking him to irregularities in the 2025 national budget and denied involvement with officials previously implicated in flood control project anomalies, calling the accusations “hearsay” and “innuendo.”

The announcement of his exit came ahead of a Cabinet reshuffle in which Ralph Recto was appointed Executive Secretary and Frederick Go was named acting Finance Secretary. Budget Undersecretary Rolando Toledo was designated officer in charge of the Department of Budget and Management.

The PCO cited the new appointees’ “exemplary track records” in policy, governance, and economic initiatives. Bersamin emphasized, however, that his exit should not be interpreted as a voluntary resignation.