Involuntary resignation

Did he resign? Was he fired? An accurate description of the departure of Lucas Bersamin from the Cabinet is that he was told that he had resigned.

- ANA MARIE PAMINTUAN

This is according to his narration of what happened on Monday afternoon, when he lamented that his resignation “out of delicadeza” was announced by Malacañang before he received official confirmation.

The retired chief justice took exception to the implications of citing delicadeza in his involuntary resignation. As accusations of his involvement in the budget / flood control anomalies swirled, he denied any impropriety and advised his critics to just sue him.

What the “little president” did to warrant such an ignominious exit as the Cabinet primus inter pares should prove as interesting as the Marcos family feud. (OK, maybe a bit less interesting.)

Bersamin lasted three years as little president - far longer than his predecessor, BBM's first executive secretary and election campaign spokesman, Vic Rodriguez, who lasted all of two-and-a-half months as ES.

Rodriguez resigned in September 2022 amid a controversy over sugar importations, but said he would be staying on as Palace chief of staff. Days later, new ES Bersamin said there is no such order designating Rodriguez as chief of staff. Rodriguez then announced his “complete exit” from the Marcos administration.

In November, Rodriguez was expelled as executive vice president of BBM’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, over “loss of trust and confidence” and “acts inimical to the party.” BBM did not stop the expulsion.