Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon rejected allegations from the so-called “Bersamin files” linking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to questionable budget insertions, calling them “not just double hearsay, but even triple hearsay.”
Ridon stressed that without direct confirmation from former Presidential Legal Liaison Office (PLLO) Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin, the alleged communications attributed to him—including supposed exchanges involving the President—have no evidentiary standing.
“Without confirmation from former Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin, all purported communications attributed to him—including any alleged exchanges involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—remain triple and double hearsay. They have no probative value, they have no evidentiary value, whether in court, in impeachment proceedings or congressional inquiries.”
He added that Bersamin must clearly state whether the documents are authentic before any investigative body proceeds.
“Mr. Bersamin should plainly confirm or deny the authenticity and truth of these alleged communications. Unless and until he does so, there is no sound factual basis for investigative bodies or congressional committees to treat these claims as actionable information.”
Ridon emphasized that public discussion should rely on verified facts rather than unconfirmed documents or secondhand accounts.
Separately, Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong echoed calls for caution after ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio claimed to have seen “records of communications” allegedly tying Marcos to budget kickbacks.
“These are serious accusations. Kung may ebidensiya, may tamang proseso para rito. Let us allow institutions to function as they should,” Adiong said.
The statements come amid growing political debate over the authenticity and implications of the alleged documents.