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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace on Cabinet revamp rumors: We can't dignify speculations

Palace on Cabinet revamp rumors: We can't dignify speculations

Published Feb 13, 2025 10:24 am

Rumors are rife and cannot be outrightly dignified.

This was how Malacañang responded to rumors of a looming Cabinet revamp, claiming that two more Cabinet members, aside from Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, have stepped down from their posts.

Lucas Bersamin.jpg
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin (John Louie Abrina)

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said he does not know how credible the revamp claims are, pointing out that rumors always resurface.

"Well, I do not know yet kung how true they are or if there is any basis. But usually, speculations are very, are always there," Bersamin said when asked if it was true that Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan Uy and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cesar Chavez are resigning from their posts.

"E hindi naman namin pwedeng sabihin sa inyo unless, until na nangyari na yun (And we cannot tell you until it already happened) because, you know, we do not have compelling reasons. But speculations are rife. So, we just cannot dignify speculations," Bersamin stressed.

As if bellying rumors that he resigned, Chavez disclosed on Thursday morning that he will be on leave and designated the PCO's senior undersecretary to be his temporary reliever while he is away.

READ MORE: Acting PCO chief designates senior undersecretary as OIC while on leave

Bautista's resignation

On question behind the resignation of Bautista as Transportation chief, Bersamin clarified that it was indeed due to the secretary's health, and that the President and Bautista "talked at length" about it.

"Secretary Jimmy Bautista signified that he might need to rest because of health issues. And the President was always solicitous of the health of his Cabinet members. So, when the President and Secretary Bautista talked about it, it became clear to the President that Secretary Bautista may really need to take a rest from official duties," Bersamin said.

It came as a clarification on rumors that Bautista was asked to resign because the President was dissatisfied with his performance.

"No, no. The President and Secretary Bautista talked at length about his—the situation of Secretary Bautista. There is no other consideration there except to allow Secretary Bautista to have more health," he said.

Bautista will be replaced by former Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Vivencio "Vince" Bringas Dizon as the new secretary Transportation chief.

READ MORE: Ex-BCDA chief Vince Dizon to replace Bautista as new DOTr secretary—Palace

Related Tags

Cesar Chavez Jaime Bautista Cabinet Ivan Uy President Marcos Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin
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