Bersamin urged to address alleged messages with Marcos on kickbacks

Former undersecretary and head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Adrian Bersamin was challenged by ACT Teachers Party List Rep. Antonio Tinio on Monday to address his alleged communication with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding alleged kickbacks from infrastructure projects.

The statement followed observations that Tinio’s allegations are “hearsay” and “have no evidentiary value” unless Bersamin confirms the supposed communication.

Tinio said Bersamin’s name has been in the news for days, but he has yet to respond.

“Again, I challenge Usec. Adrian Bersamin, say something. If you want to deny, very welcome to deny. The public is waiting. Basta nakita ko ang nakita ko, at tingin ko may kailangan kang ipaliwanag. So please explain to the public,” the ACT Teachers solon said.

He added that Bersamin’s role is key in linking the alleged kickbacks to the President and noted that Bersamin has largely avoided appearing in investigations.

“Susi ang papel niya… between the kickbacks and the President… Pero pansinin natin sa anumang imbestigasyon, whether sa Blue Ribbon, sa Ombudsman, sa ICI, hindi talaga siya pinapaharap. Dine-dedma lang siya. Indikasyon ito para sa akin, na kailangang imbestigahan talaga siya at mukhang pinoprotektahan,” Tinio said.

The lawmaker said he stands by the authenticity of the record of communication he saw from a video shown to him by Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste. Tinio said the messages may include content only accessible to Bersamin and the President.

“His messages are from December 2024 to July 2025, it’s a long exchange. It is not only one or two messages. And the topics are all about flood control or kickbacks, and there are more. That is why we said that it might be authentic because there are many details,” Tinio said.

Tinio noted that Leviste first showed him the alleged communication a day before Makabayan solons endorsed the impeachment complaint against Marcos but did not give him a copy of the recording.

He said Leviste later requested another meeting after the House Justice Committee declared the impeachment complaint insufficient in substance. Tinio added that Leviste eventually decided not to go public with the messages, leaving Bersamin to do so himself.

Tinio said he is aware of the motives of other players, including Leviste, who has an ongoing case related to his solar business.

“Also, isa pang dahilan kung bakit nag-decide din ako na i-disclose sa publiko ‘yung ipinakita sa akin, para rin maging malinaw sa lahat na maaaring mayroong ganitong information na hawak siya, pero ayaw niyang i-disclose… Maaaring imbestigahan ito kung gusto natin talagang matumbok ‘yung mga pinaka-responsible (sa flood control anomaly),” Tinio added.