Bersamin slams inclusion in ‘Cabral files‘
Former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Sunday slammed insinuations he was involved in the more than P8 billion worth of “allocable” funds in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget for 2025.
“I am aghast and outraged at the insinuation that the tag ‘ES’ found in the so-called Cabral Files pertained to me as the then Executive Secretary to whom was allocated P8.3 billion worth of DPWH projects under the GAA 2025,” he said in a statement.
He was referring to the documents, which were supposedly given to Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste by the late Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, that link several high-ranking officials—including Cabinet secretaries—to the controversial 2025 infrastructure budget insertions.
“ES” are the initials commonly used to refer to the executive secretary, who at that time was Bersamin.
Bersamin also said, “I emphatically state that I did not ever request, endorse, approve, or authorize any DPWH project or budget allocation at any stage of the budget process. I also deny having instructed anyone, whether inside or outside of the government, to use my name or that of my former office for any such purpose.”
He also called on investigative bodies “to place this matter at the top of their agenda,” saying the issue tarnishes the integrity of the national budget.
“This incident only serves to raise more questions about the deeply flawed budget process followed at the DPWH. I strongly urge that the so-called Cabral Files should be thoroughly scrutinized to unmask those behind the budget manipulation,” he said.
“I am eager and willing to cooperate with any legislative, administrative, or judicial investigation of this matter,” Bersamin also said.
‘Hold accountable’
In a Viber message to reporters, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said investigations should continue against anyone involved in the issue, even if they are part of the Marcos Cabinet.
“Whoever is involved among the Cabinet members and has evidence, just continue the investigation to track down the real culprit. The President said, whoever it is, they must be held accountable if they are truly involved. This is already in the hands of investigating bodies like the Ombudsman or DOJ (Department of Justice). Anyone with sufficient evidence can submit it to the ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure) or directly file a case with the Ombudsman or the DOJ,” Castro said.
Castro’s statement was in response to Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson’s remarks on Saturday that former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and at least four other members of President Marcos’ Cabinet—who allegedly had billions of pesos in “allocable” funds in the 2025 budget—may be summoned by the Senate blue-ribbon committee.
“Why would a department secretary have an allocable?” Lacson, who also heads the committee, said in an interview with dwIZ. “From my understanding, allocables pertain to project funds for lawmakers.”
“I was surprised at one entry that said ‘ES, P8 billion.’ How did one ‘ES’ get allocables?” Lacson added.
Cabral, who was also implicated in the budget insertions controversy, was found dead near the riverbank of the Bued River on the evening of December 18, approximately 20 to 30 meters below a portion of Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet.
