Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson on Tuesday said President Bongbong Marcos was “misrepresented” by individuals allegedly involved in kickbacks linked to the ₱100-billion insertion in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
During the Senate’s budget deliberations, Lacson confirmed the existence of the insertion, noting, “Both of us went through the list… totoo ’yung listahan ng ₱100 billion, talagang naisingit sa Bicam.”
He said he was contacted by the camp of former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo following the release of videos by former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, which claimed Malacañang officials had invoked Marcos’ name to justify the insertion.
Lacson identified the officials as PLLO Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin and DepEd Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, both of whom resigned after being implicated in the flood control controversy.
According to Lacson, “Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin… making Zaldy Co believe na utos ng Pangulo na ipasok sa bicam ’yung insertions na ₱100 billion, Usec. Trygve Olaivar… other personalities.”
Citing Bernardo, Lacson said that only ₱81 billion of the insertion went to DPWH, with nearly ₱52 billion handled directly by Bernardo himself.
He added, “₱52 billion ’yun ’yung personal na hinandle niya… naghatid ako ng pera as kickback, but not to the President but to Usec. Olaivar… kasama si Usec. Adrian Bersamin, ₱8 billion, in at least 10 deliveries.”