Solano, Philippines – Former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday firmly rejected allegations linking him to supposed insertions in the proposed ₱52-billion allocation in the 2025 national budget, calling the claims baseless, inaccurate, and built on hearsay.

The former chief justice was responding to statements made by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who earlier revealed that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo had shared information tagging several government officials in alleged fund manipulation involving flood-control and infrastructure projects.

Lacson said Bernardo described Bersamin as the official who would “take care” of the questioned ₱52-billion insertions. Bersamin immediately dismissed that assertion.

“I vehemently deny the imputation against me that I said anything to Secretary Manny Bonoan that ‘we will take care of it’ regarding the supposed facilitation of the ₱52 billion,” Bersamin told Palace reporters, his tone resolute as he distanced himself from the controversy.

“Bernardo could not be a credible source of relevant information if his knowledge looks and sounds like at least triple hearsay.”

Background of the Controversy

The allegations surfaced after Lacson exposed what he described as irregular insertions in the national budget, supposedly linked to a group of officials asking about potential kickbacks tied to infrastructure funding. The senator identified two undersecretaries who allegedly invoked President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s name in discussing the deal: former DepEd Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin.

Citing Bernardo’s account, Lacson said Olaivar claimed that DPWH Secretary Bonoan repeatedly asked who would “facilitate” the release of the ₱52 billion once it was inserted into the budget. Bernardo allegedly told Lacson that Olaivar mentioned Bersamin as the official who said, “We will take care of it.”

Bersamin strongly disputed this narrative, calling it speculative and unsupported.

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Bersamin on Adrian Bersamin: “He is like my grandson”

The former Executive Secretary also defended PLLO Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin, who was mentioned in Lacson’s disclosure.

“Alam mo si Adrian parang apo ko yan, parang anak yan. Apo yan ng oldest brother ko na pinatay. I have been part of his life since that time,” Bersamin said, adding that he finds it difficult to believe Adrian would engage in wrongdoing.

“You cannot expect him to do anything na hindi tugma sa nakakataas sa kanya.”

His remarks underscored both personal closeness and professional confidence in the younger Bersamin’s integrity.

Calls for Due Process and Institutional Clarity

Bersamin said allegations of corruption should be vetted through the proper legal channels, emphasizing that public perception must not overtake factual investigation.

“These claims must be established in court,” he stressed.

The former Executive Secretary earlier voluntarily resigned after his name, alongside that of former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, was dragged into the separate flood-control project scandal that has shaken several agencies in recent months.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro previously confirmed that Bersamin stepped down out of delicadeza, a move intended to pave the way for a full and impartial inquiry. Castro added that their resignations were necessary for the administration’s integrity and to ensure transparency in the ongoing investigation.

A Widening Political Storm

The widening controversy surrounding the budget insertions and flood-control anomalies has placed several ranking officials under scrutiny, sparking renewed calls for accountability in the management of infrastructure funds. With Bersamin’s categorical denial, political analysts expect heightened attention on the testimonies of key figures, including Bernardo, Olaivar, and Bonoan, whose accounts may shape the trajectory of the inquiry.

As investigations develop, the issue is likely to remain front and center in national politics, with both Congress and anti-corruption advocates pushing for clearer answers.

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