Malacañang has bared that Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman have resigned from their respective posts "out of delicadeza" after their offices were linked to the flood control anomalies.

President Marcos has appointed Finance Secretary Ralph Recto as the new executive secretary, replacing Bersamin; and named Adviser for Investments and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go as the new Finance secretary.

"Both officials respectfully offered and tendered their resignations out of delicadeza after their departments were mentioned in allegations related to the flood control anomaly currently under investigation, and in the recognition of the responsibility to allow the administration to address the matter appropriately," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing on Monday afternoon, Nov. 17.

According to Castro, Bersamin and Pangandaman "voluntarily filed their resignations," which the President accepted on Monday.

In accepting Bersamin's resignation, Marcos conveyed his "deep appreciation" to him "for his steady leadership at the helm of the Office of the Executive Secretary."

"A former Chief Justice, ES Bersamin brought to Malacañang decades of legal wisdom, calm stewardship, and a deep respect for institution building. His contributions will remain part of the foundation on which continuing reforms stand," Castro said.

The President likewise extended his sincere gratitude to Pangandaman, "whose work at DBM strengthened the government's fiscal management, guided the timely passage of national budgets, and ensured that social programs and front-line services were funded and delivered."

Undersecretary Rolando Toledo was designated as officer-in-charge (OIC) of Department of Budget and Management (DBM), replacing Pangandaman.

In appointing Recto, Marcos said his "long record in economic policymaking, fiscal legislation, and national planning positions him well to oversee the day-to-day operations of government and coordinate the implementation of high-impact programs."

Go, who will replace Recto as DOF chief, has played a central role in advancing investments, strengthening investor confidence, and aligning economic initiatives across agencies, Castro said.

Go will now oversee the country's fiscal direction and the implementation of the administration's economic agenda, she added.

Go's position as the Adviser for Investments and Economic Affairs remains vacant.

The Cabinet revamp came a day after Bersamin denied that he was being replaced or had resigned, saying the reported change in the Cabinet was "not true until it actually happens."

"Not true until it actually happens. I don't know how the speculation started," Bersamin said on Sunday, Nov. 16.

On Monday noon, Nov. 17, Bersamin neither confirmed nor denied that he has been replaced as executive secretary, but said "let's wait for the official announcement," which happened later in the afternoon.

On Monday morning, Recto also denied the reports, saying he was not aware of any movement in the Cabinet. He added that no other position was being offered to him.

While the Palace maintained that Marcos did not want to dignify the allegations made by resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co towards the President and his administration, his claims may have compelled Bersamin and Pangandaman to step down from their posts.

"Hindi po natin masasabi na ang alegasyon ni Zaldy Co ay seryoso. Makikita po natin sa kanyang mga sinabi at sa kanyang mga pictures na kanyang pinakita (We cannot say that Zaldy Co’s allegations are serious. We can see this from the statements he made and the photos he presented)," Castro said.

"Pero kung anuman ang kanyang mga nasabi ay maaaring ito ang nagbigay ng dahilan para sa dalawang mga magigiting nating secretaries na sila mismo ang magboluntaryong mag-resign sa kanilang posisyon para mabigyang daan ang malalimang pag-iimbestiga sa mga maaanomalyang flood control projects (But whatever he said may have been the reason why our two honorable secretaries voluntarily resigned from their posts to allow a thorough investigation into the anomalous flood control projects)," she added.

Castro reiterated that they were not asked by the President to resign, but voluntarily filed their respective resignation.

Should other Cabinet members think they are linked or could be linked to the flood control anomalies, the President would also want them to voluntarily resign, Castro further said.

"Kung alam po halimbawa po 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 na po mismo ay mag-resign, out of delicadeza (For example, if a member of the Cabinet knows that they are involved or could be implicated in this kind of anomaly, the President would want them to voluntarily resign out of delicadeza)," Castro answered when asked if the public can expect more resignations after the recent development.

Castro also stressed 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 assures the public that all agencies will continue to operate without interruption and with the same commitment to effective governance and public service,” she said.