Cabinet shake-up? Just ‘speculations’, says Palace

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

In a chance interview, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said he has no idea about the possible reorganization of the Cabinet and stressed that he does not want to “dignify speculations.” (PCO file photo)

MANILA – Malacañang on Thursday dismissed as “speculations” the alleged looming reorganization in the Cabinet of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

In a chance interview, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said he has no idea about the possible reorganization of the Cabinet and stressed that he does not want to “dignify speculations.”

“Well, I do not know yet how true they are or is there any basis but usually speculations are always there. Hindi naman namin puwedeng sabihin sa inyo until nangyari na iyan (We cannot tell you until it happens) because you know, we do not have compelling reasons,” Bersamin told reporters, when asked if there would be changes in President Marcos’ Cabinet.

“But speculations are ripe. We just, we cannot dignify speculations,” he added.

This, after Marcos named former Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) chief Vivencio Dizon as replacement of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, who would step down from the post on Feb. 21 because of health reasons.

Pressed further if Marcos had asked Bautista to resign from his post, Bersamin categorically said “no.

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“There is no other consideration there,” Bersamin said.

“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,” he said.