Bersamin denies memo on House leadership reshuffle

Metro Manila, Philippines - Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday, April 30, denied that a memorandum was issued by his office for supposedly hinting at a change in the House of Representatives leadership.

The memo, which was sent to members of the media, contained details on an alleged discussion that happened on April 8 between Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Press Secretary Jay Ruiz, Undersecretary Claire Castro, and other officials and survey experts.

The document supposedly signed by Bersamin recalled that the meeting was to address the recent major drop in public trust ratings for President Ferdiinand Marcos Jr. and his administration.

Bersamin denied the authenticity of the memo, which surfaced less than two weeks before the May 12 midterm elections.

“Apparently the spurious memorandum is a blatant attempt to spread disinformation and to sow division in the ranks of the administration candidates,” the secretary said in a statement.

“It should be dismissed as the handiwork of malicious minds,” Bersamin added.

The numbered list on the alleged leaked document lays down action steps to resolve the government’s low survey ratings.

The plans include “actively promoting low-price rice projects,” double efforts to “undo the damage done by critics,” and carrying out “intensive and positive propaganda.”

There was also a proposal urging Marcos to replace House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The memo stated that Marcos “acknowledged” the need for a reshuffle in Congress leadership and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco is considered a candidate for replacement.

“The president needs to make a determined effort to replace the Speaker. The President acknowledged that a strong Congress leader could effectively improve the government’s approval and trust ratings,” the supposed memo read.

Citing Remulla, the document also pointed out that “corruption was rampant in Congress under Speaker Romualdez’s leadership” and relates this to the low public trust.

Romualdez’ leadership allegedly “significantly lowered the Bagong Pilipinas’ approval and trust ratings during the campaign, where even the military has expressed dissatisfaction many times.”