Bersamin 'well qualified' to be ES; 'trusted' by PBBM, says Palace
Former chief justice and now Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin is "well qualified" for the post, Malacañang said.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. tapped Bersamin to take over the position primarily because of "trust basis" and his qualifications, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
"Well, primarily, it’s (on) a trust basis. Sinasabi ng ating Pangulo (The President said), he is well-qualified to be the Executive Secretary having put in so many years in the judiciary," Angeles said in a press briefing.
"He has the necessary legal background and the ability to deal with the paperwork plus of course, he is trusted and well-qualified for this," she added.
Bersamin's designation to the position dubbed as "little president" was confirmed on Tuesday when he took his oath before the President shortly before joining the latter's ninth Cabinet meeting.
Bersamin replaced Vic Rodriguez who stepped down from the post over a week ago.
Asked when the President offered the position to Bersamin, Angeles said she has no information about it.
"Wala po tayong (We don't have any) information on that one. We know that he had talked to former Chief Justice, now Executive Secretary Bersamin before he entered into his duties; but as to the exact date, wala po tayong (we don't have) information on that," Angeles said.
Reports claiming that Bersamin will replace Rodriguez has been going around since Marcos' 65th birthday on Sept. 13. However, it was never confirmed by the
Palace until Rodriguez resigned from the post to "have more time for (his) family."
The position was vacant from Sept. 17 until Bersamin's oath taking.
The Press Secretary said she also cannot confirm whether or not the President has been considering Bersamin for the post since claims about it came out even before Rodriguez's resignation.
"I have no information on that one as well. I am not sure, even of the relevance of the question," she said.
Rodriguez, on the other hand, will stay under the Marcos administration as he was designated as the Presidential Chief of Staff (PCS)—a new position created by Administrative Order (AO) No. 1.
The order, according to Angeles, will determine the distinction, "if any", between the roles of Bersamin and Rodriguez. Its publication remains pending.