Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson maintained that President Bongbong Marcos had no role in the alleged P100-billion budget insertion and kickback scheme, saying available evidence contradicts the claims made against the Chief Executive.
Lacson said the findings indicate that Marcos was misled, and that the alleged delivery of kickbacks could not have reached him. He noted that the President had vetoed P1.15 billion worth of items taken from the same list of proposed insertions, a move he described as inconsistent with accusations that Marcos ordered the additions.
He also addressed the allegation made by resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who claimed he handed P25 billion in kickbacks to the President. According to Lacson, this assertion was disputed by former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who said he was the one managing the deliveries involving P52 billion from the P81 billion in DPWH items mentioned by Co.
Although Lacson confirmed that P100 billion was inserted during the bicameral conference committee for the 2025 national budget, he clarified that the resulting kickbacks were directed to individuals who allegedly invoked the President’s name. During the Senate’s deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget, he identified resigned Presidential Legislative Liaison Office undersecretary Adrian Carlos Bersamin and resigned Education undersecretary Trygve Olaivar as among those accused of misrepresenting Marcos.
Lacson questioned the logic of the accusations, saying it would be unreasonable for Marcos to veto items he supposedly instructed to be inserted. He cited the three vetoed projects in the 2025 General Appropriations Act: a P250,000 cruise port construction in Puerto Princesa City, a P800-million multi-purpose building in Abra, and a P100-million riverbank structure project in Moalboal, Cebu.
He added that Co’s claim that Marcos wanted the P100-billion insertion made during the bicameral conference was unlikely, noting that any presidential adjustments could have been done earlier during the National Expenditure Program, which falls under the executive branch.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced that the Ombudsman has formally filed cases against Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and 17 others in connection with the flood control projects controversy. The charges were based on evidence submitted by the CI and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Marcos said arrest warrants have already been issued, stressing that authorities will enforce them without delay or special treatment. He added that the process he initiated is now moving forward and thanked the public for their patience as the investigation produced results.
