Inquirer
Bersamin ‘vehemently denies’ alleged link to P100-B budget insertions
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson alleged that former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin may have been involved in illegal insertions to the 2025 General Appropriations Act, specifically concerning P52 billion for flood control projects.
Lacson cited former Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who claimed he was advised by ex-Education Secretary Trygve Olaivar not to discuss the P52 billion with then-DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
Bernardo was reportedly told that Bonoan had repeatedly asked Bersamin how the P52 billion would be facilitated and released.
Bersamin "vehemently denied" the accusations, calling Bernardo an "incredible source" due to triple hearsay.
The P52 billion was part of a larger P100 billion insertion into the 2025 national budget.
Bernardo had previously admitted to delivering kickbacks from government projects.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson confirmed that P100 billion was inserted into the 2025 General Appropriations Act, with P81 billion allocated to the Department of Public Works and Highways and P19 billion to other agencies.
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Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has refuted allegations by former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co regarding P100 billion budget insertions supposedly ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
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Former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co urged Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to investigate President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and former Speaker Martin Romualdez for alleged P100 billion budget insertions for the 2025 national budget.
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Resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co claimed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. received P25 billion in kickbacks from P100 billion in insertions to the 2025 national budget.
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House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan stated that the minority bloc was unaware of any alleged P100 billion in insertions made to the 2025 national budget.
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