Malacañang refused to divulge the reason behind the sudden exit of former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin Secretary Lucas Bersamin from the Cabinet, choosing to keep the matter at rest.

"Nag-usap naman po sila ng Pangulo face-to-face at (He and the President have already talked face-to-face and) let us just leave it at that," Palace Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing on Thursday, Nov. 20.

On Monday, Nov. 17, the Palace announced the resignation of Bersamin "out of delicadeza" after his office was linked to the flood control anomalies.

However, on Wednesday, Nov 19, Bersamin revealed that he did not resign from his post, but was told to "exit," contrary to the announcement made by Malacañang.

Bersamin bared that a "close friend" had called him up on Monday before noon, telling him he needed to "leave." He also disclosed that he was able to talk to the President on Monday evening, but refused to reveal what they have talked about.

Neither him, nor the Palace had divulged the reason behind his removal, stressing that he serves at the pleasure of the President, thus,  "the President does not need a reason."

Castro also said she had no idea who had Bersamin removed.

"Hindi ko po masasabi kung sino po ang nagpatanggal sa kanya. Binanggit ko po kanina na hindi ko po alam kung sino ang kausap niya. Kung iyon po ang nababasa ng Palasyo dahil sinubmit [submit] niya naman po ang sarili niya sa President’s prerogative iyan lamang po ang ating masasabi at tinanggap po ang sinasabing resignation (I cannot say who had him removed. I mentioned earlier that I do not know whom he spoke with. If that is what the Palace is seeing, because he did submit himself to the President’s prerogative, that is all we can say, and the supposed resignation was accepted)," Castro said.

"Tandaan po natin, lahat naman po kami ang aming service ay upon the pleasure of the President. Sabi nga nila pagpasok mo dito hindi mo alam kung ito na iyong huling araw mo. So, lahat po kami dapat ay handa doon (Let us remember, all of us serve at the pleasure of the President. As they say, when you come in here, you never know if it will be your last day. So all of us must be prepared for that)," she added.

After the contradicting claims from both sides, Castro said they acknowledged the clarification made by Bersamin about his supposed resignation, and maintained that the announcement was from the Malacanang.

"The Palace acknowledges former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin’s clarification regarding the manner of his transition. As he himself stated in his interview, he submitted himself to the President’s discretion and prerogative as part of the ongoing reorganization," Castro stated.

"The Palace announcement was issued in line with this understanding and with due regard for stability and continuity in governance," Castro added.

In an interview on Wednesday, Bersamin admitted that he somehow felt bad for not being consulted first before the announcement was made. However, he said, he cannot blame them for making the announcement as they may have a basis in stating that he filed a resignation.

Castro said they respect the former executive secretary's feelings.

"Muli po ang pina-announce po sa atin ay galing sa Palasyo at kung ano po ang naramdaman ni ES Bersamin iyon din po iginagalang po natin ang kanyang nararamdaman. At kung ano po ang sinabi lamang ng Palasyo iyon lamang po ang ating ina-announce (Again, what was announced to us came from the Palace, and whatever ES Bersamin felt, we respect his feelings. And whatever the Palace stated is the only thing we are announcing)," Castro said.