Newly-appointed Executive Secretary Lucan Bersamin during his oath taking before Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Photo from Office of the President
MANILA, Philippines — Retired Supreme Court (SC) chief justice Lucas Bersamin is the new executive secretary of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Malacañang confirmed on Tuesday.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced Bersamin’s new designation in a message sent to reporters after taking his oath before the President.
“Former Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin has taken his oath of office as Executive Secretary, before President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.,” Cruz-Angeles said.
“He began his duties immediately by attending the 9th cabinet meeting right after swearing in,” she added.
Bersamin replaced Atty. Vic Rodriguez, who had acted as lawyer and spokesperson for Marcos as early as during his bid for the vice presidency in 2016 and when he ran for president in the 2022 polls.
The former chief justice is expected to bring almost 20 years of expertise and experience in the judiciary, including over 10 years in the high court, to the new administration. He was appointed associate justice of SC from 2009 to 2018, and chief magistrate in November 2018 after former President Rodrigo Duterte appointed him.
After he retired from service, Duterte appointed Bersamin as chairperson of the Government Service Insurance System.
Rodriguez stepped down from his post after getting dragged into the sugar importation controversy when he admitted to asking the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to draft the controversial Sugar Order (SO) No. 4. The draft order has since been revoked by Marcos, saying it was drafted without his permission.
But while he has resigned as the “little president,” Rodriguez will continue to serve as chief of staff to Marcos.