Claire Castro made these remarks following the resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, both of whom were mentioned in controversies involving flood control projects. When asked if other Cabinet members would be urged to step down if implicated, Castro said, 'If, for example, a Cabinet member knows that he is involved or may be involved in this kind of anomaly, the President wishes that they themselves would resign out of delicadeza.' Bersamin had previously been accused by former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo of a supposed 15% kickback related to P2.85 billion worth of flood control projects tapping unprogrammed national funds. 'He knows why he initiated and spearheaded this deep investigation,' Castro said. 'So it means, if he himself ordered the investigation, we know that his intention is clean and he really wants to expose corruption,' she added. Bersamin denied any involvement in budgetary allocations for the Department of Public Works and Highways. Pangandaman was mentioned by former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy 'Zaldy' Co in a video exposé as the official who allegedly relayed Marcos' instruction to insert P100 billion in the 2025 national budget during bicameral conference committee hearings. Castro said Co's claims may have prompted the two Cabinet members to step down voluntarily to allow for an impartial investigation. She emphasized that the investigation would not exempt anyone, not even the President. 'There should really be no one to be exempted. But the President knows what he is doing. Malacañang advised government officials who might be implicated in alleged anomalies to consider resigning from their posts out of delicadeza to give way to a thorough investigation. Palace Press Attorney'
