P100 billion budget insertions confirmed by Senate; kickbacks disputed

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.

He identified Department of Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Undersecretary Adrian Carlos Bersamin as individuals who allegedly invoked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s name to facilitate these budget insertions.

Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo allegedly personally handled P52 billion in kickbacks from the P100 billion inserted into the budget.

Bernardo's account contradicts former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co's claims, with Bernardo stating that he, not Co, delivered the billions of pesos in kickbacks.

Lacson stands by his defense of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against Co's allegations, stating that while budget insertions are confirmed, the cash deliveries are false.

Olaivar and Bersamin have resigned, following the resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.