Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson believes that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manny Bonoan holds the key to determining whether former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin truly received kickbacks from alleged anomalous projects.
According to Lacson, Bersamin was correct when he described the accusation as “triple hearsay,” noting that the information had been passed among several individuals—former Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, and Bonoan.
“Tama ‘yung sinabi niya triple hearsay ‘yun. Kung pag-uusapan natin ebidensiya ‘pag umabot sa korte talagang triple hearsay kasi nanggaling kay Olaivar, sinabi kay Bernardo, si Bernardo naman sinulat niya so talagang triple ‘yun,” Lacson said in a radio interview on Sunday.
He added that Olaivar was the one who supposedly informed Bernardo about conversations between Bonoan and Bersamin.
“Ang nagkuwento kay Bernardo na nag-usap si Bonoan at saka si ES Bersamin si Olaivar. Kinuwento niya kay Bernardo kaya nandu’n din sa narration ni Bernardo ‘yun na pina-follow up ni Secretary Bonoan kay ES Bersamin sino magpa-facilitate nitong ₱52 billion o ‘yung sa ₱81 billion, whatever basta ‘yun sa DPWH. Ang sagot sa kanya ‘we’ll take care of it.’”
Lacson emphasized that he believes Bernardo’s statements because they are supported by documentation.
“Si Bonoan ang puwedeng mag-link directly kay ES Bersamin assuming na totoo ‘yung sinabi ni Bernardo, assuming na totoo ‘yung kuwento ni Olaivar kay Bernardo,” the senator added, noting that these revelations fall within the ongoing Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects, which he currently chairs.