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Lucas P. Bersamin
Chairman Bersamin (cropped).jpg
Official Portrait, 2020
40th Executive Secretary of the Philippines
Assumed office
September 27, 2022
President Bongbong Marcos
Preceded by Vic Rodriguez
Chairman of the Government Service Insurance System
In office
February 6, 2020 – September 27, 2022
Appointed by Rodrigo Duterte
Preceded by Jesus Clint Aranas
Rolando Macasaet (OIC)
Succeeded by Jose Arnulfo Veloso (Acting)
25th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
In office
November 26, 2018 – October 18, 2019
Appointed by Rodrigo Duterte
Preceded by Teresita de Castro
Succeeded by Diosdado Peralta
163rd Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
In office
April 3, 2009 – November 28, 2018
Appointed by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Preceded by Adolfo Azcuna
Succeeded by Henri Jean Paul Inting
Personal details
Born (1949-10-18) October 18, 1949 (age 75)
Bangued, Abra, Philippines
Spouse Aurora Bagares
Children 3
Education University of the Philippines (BA)
University of the East (LL.B.)
Affiliation Scintilla Juris Fraternity

Lucas "Luke" Purugganan Bersamin (born October 18, 1949) is a Filipino lawyer and judge. He currently serves as the 40th Executive Secretary of the Philippines. This is a very important role in the government.

Before this, Mr. Bersamin worked for 10 years in the highest court of the country, the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He was first an associate justice from 2009 to 2018. Then, he became the 25th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines from 2018 until he retired in 2019.

Early Life and Education

Lucas Bersamin was born on October 18, 1949. He grew up in Bangued, Abra, Philippines. He was a top student in school.

He finished elementary school in 1961 and high school in 1965. He then went to the University of the Philippines, where he earned his first degree in 1968. Later, he studied law at the University of the East College of Law and graduated in 1973.

After law school, he took the Bar Examinations, which lawyers must pass to practice law. He did very well, placing 9th in the entire country in 1973.

Career in Law and Government

Mr. Bersamin started his career in private law practice in 1974. He worked as a lawyer until 1986. That year, he was appointed as a trial court judge in Quezon City.

In 2003, he became a judge in the Court of Appeals. This court reviews decisions made by lower courts.

Serving in the Supreme Court

Bersamin in robes
Official portrait of Lucas Bersamin as Associate Justice

In April 2009, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed him as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. This is a very high position for a judge.

Later, in November 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte chose him to be the new Chief Justice of the Philippines. This means he was the highest judge in the country. He served in this role until he retired in October 2019.

Other Important Roles

After retiring from the Supreme Court, Mr. Bersamin continued to serve the government. In February 2020, he was appointed as the chairperson of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). The GSIS helps government workers with their insurance and retirement benefits.

In September 2022, President Bongbong Marcos appointed him as the Executive Secretary of the Philippines. This is a key role in the President's office, helping to manage the government's daily operations.

Personal Life

Lucas Bersamin is married to Aurora A. Bagares. They have three children together: Pia Cristina, Luis Isidro, and Lucas Riel Jr. His brothers, Luis "Chito" Bersamin Jr. and Eustaquio Bersamin, also served in government in Abra province.

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