18/11/2025
PRESS STATEMENT
Makabayan Bloc
RESIGNATIONS NOT ENOUGH: BERSAMIN, PANGANDAMAN AND ASSOCIATES MUST FACE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION
We, the Makabayan bloc in Congress, declare that the resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman are not enough. They and their associates must be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
These resignations tell us that President Marcos himself is feeling the heat from the corruption scandals plaguing his administration. The fact that his most trusted officials after former Cong. Zaldy Co's revelations, are jumping ship is a clear admission of guilt and an attempt to shield the President from accountability.
We demand a comprehensive investigation into Bersamin, Pangandaman, and their entire network of associates. This includes Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) Usec. Adrian Bersamin, Department of Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar; Department of Justice Undersecretary Jose Cadiz Jr., and all others involved in these anomalous transactions. No one should be spared from scrutiny.
Most importantly, the probe must now include President Marcos Jr. himself. If his Executive Secretary is deeply involved in corruption, how can the President claim ignorance? The Executive Secretary is the alter ego of the President—his involvement necessarily implicates Marcos Jr.
It is no longer tenable for the President to maintain that he knows nothing and has nothing to account for when the core members of his cabinet are implicated as key players in the corruption scandal. Panahon na para umanin at umako ng pananagutan.
The Filipino people deserve answers. We will not allow these resignations to be used as a smokescreen to protect the real culprits. Justice must be served, and accountability must reach the highest levels of government.
We call on all institutions—Congress, the Ombudsman, and law enforcement agencies—to pursue this investigation without fear or favor. The culture of impunity in the Marcos administration must end. # # #