While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently dodged an impeachment case after the House dismissed two complaints for lack of substance, a recorded exchange of messages could be the smoking gun that would directly link him to the ongoing flood control corruption scandal.

Some critics likened the record of the communication to the “Hello Garci” tape that implicated former President Gloria Arroyo in the rigging of the 2004 presidential election.

The Constitution grants impeachable officials a one-year respite between impeachment complaints, buying Marcos time until 2027, but the alleged messages detailing deliveries of up to P8 billion in cash from former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, acknowledged by Marcos with responses such as “okay,” have reignited scrutiny.

Lawmakers such as ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio and House deputy Caloocan Representative Edgar Erice claim to have seen the communications supposedly between former Presidential Liaison Office Chief Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin and the President.

The communications were reportedly revealed by Rep. Leandro Leviste, while corroboration is being awaited from Bernardo and former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.

Erice pushed for an investigation shortly after ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio, the main endorser of one dismissed impeachment complaint against the President, disclosed that he saw “communication records” showing that Marcos had direct knowledge of the kickback scheme that led to the flood control corruption scandal.

Erice said the messages were contained in a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device where Marcos and Bersamin supposedly exchanged messages.

“There were lengthy exchanges of messages discussing billions of pesos, including alleged payments to Alyansa candidates, as well as millions purportedly allocated for entertainers, which was reportedly given to Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco,” Erice said.

Erice added that he later asked Tiangco about the matter and he confirmed receiving money but didn’t know where it came from.

Erice said the exchange of messages was one of the accusations in the impeachment complaint endorsed by the Makabayan bloc that indicated the President had direct personal knowledge of the funding operation.

He also cited the video statements made by former House budget chairperson and representative Zaldy Co and the testimony of Bernardo.

In his video message, Co had alleged that Bersamin had given him a list of projects worth P100 billion that Marcos ordered inserted in the national budget.

For his part, Bernardo testified that he delivered P8 billion in cash to Bersamin and then Education Undersecretary Trygve Olivar.

Proceeds used for 2025 campaign

The money was supposedly used in support of the administration’s senatorial candidates, as well as for election-related TV ads, a P6-million payment to a foreign pollster hired by Malacañang as a consultant, and P68 million in a talent fee for one performer during the campaign.

Tinio said the communications continued until July 2025. On 10 July, Bersamin conveyed that he had a P2-billion delivery for the President to his Narra Avenue residence in Forbes Park.

Tinio said the President replied, ‘I’ll inform Jun Baris’ on 10 July, and appeared to have been receiving kickbacks just days before he went to Congress where he stood before the chamber and intoned, ‘Mahiya naman kayo (Have some shame).’

“So, who, exactly, should be ashamed?” he asked. Baris was Marcos’ head of security at one point.

“In short, there is strong evidence supporting the allegation that the President knew — and knew very well — about the corruption in flood control projects, directly took part in it, and received kickbacks from it,” Tinio said.

Erice said there should be an investigation into the matter to clear things up and to determine the persons involved in the flood control mess that is now adversely affecting the country, particularly the economy.

What conversation?

Malacanang downplayed the existence of the communications and denied, flat out, that the President is involved in any kickbacks in the anomalous flood control projects.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro, maintained that the House of Representatives had fulfilled their mandate of investigating those who are implicated in the mess.

“They have fulfilled their mandate — they followed due process, and the matter has been concluded, with the finding that there was no basis. At this point, we categorically deny any attempt to link the President to allegations of corruption,” she told reporters in a Palace briefing.

Castro stressed that even the President has no idea about the controversial conversation being floated by the Makabayan bloc.

“We have not seen anything to date. How can we provide a proper or intelligent response when there is nothing before us? Even previously, this issue did not exist. The President has made it clear that the administration is moving forward, particularly on economic matters. And whatever needs to be investigated is being entrusted to the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice, and the ICI,” she explained.