Lacson confirms P100B budget insertion alleged by Zaldy Co

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Senator Panfilo Lacson confirmed Wednesday that allegations made by Rep. Zaldy Co regarding questionable P100-billion budget insertions have been validated.

“Yes, it is true. It has been validated that the items listed under him do exist. We checked, and it is correct. There are typos and inconsistencies, but almost all of the P100 billion is accounted for,” Lacson said in an interview with DZRH.

He explained that, together with Senator Win Gatchalian and former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo, they had been cross-checking files. Lacson said Bernardo clarified that Co’s claim he delivered ₱25 billion in suitcases was false, noting that it was actually Bernardo who made the deliveries, including amounts of ₱52 billion, ₱92 billion, and others.

Lacson also acknowledged that some funds were delivered multiple times and that discussions took place over percentage allocations, with an agreement that the arrangement would not reach former DPWH Secretary Mark Villar’s aide, Bonoan.

According to Lacson, Bernardo delivered the money in an armored van parked in the basement of the Diamond Hotel, with the cash packed in boxes rather than suitcases, as Bernardo said “It would not fit.”