Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson named several officials in Malacañang who allegedly used the name of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to obtain P52 billion in kickbacks from projects funded by budget insertion.

During the Senate session on Tuesday, Lacson stated that he was contacted by the camp of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo to correct the statement of resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, regarding the alleged P100 billion budget insertion by the administration in the 2025 national budget.

Lacson named resigned Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) Undersecretary Adrian Carlos Bersamin.

“I learned from Undersecretary Bernardo that there are people in Malacañang, not the President, not authorized by the President, who misrepresented him,” said Lacson.

According to Lacson, Bernardo stated that he personally handled P52 billion from the P81 billion fund for DPWH and delivered money to Olaivar, possibly together with Bersamin. He also allegedly gave Olaivar a 16% commitment.

Bernardo has also reportedly written to President Marcos, which may be the reason why Bersamin and Olaivar resigned from their positions.

Meanwhile, Malacañang confirmed that Olaivar submitted his resignation on Monday, following Bersamin’s resignation from his position.

Malacañang

Malacañang Palace is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the Philippines, located in Manila. Originally built in 1750 as a Spanish nobleman’s summer house, it was later seized by the colonial government and became the governor-general’s residence. After Philippine independence, it was repurposed as the presidential palace, serving as a central symbol of the country’s political power and history.

Senate

The Senate is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress, established by the Constitution in 1789. It provides equal representation with two senators for each state, and its key roles include confirming presidential appointments and ratifying treaties. Historically, senators were originally chosen by state legislatures until the 17th Amendment in 1913 mandated their direct election by the people.

Department of Public Works and Highways

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is the Philippines’ primary government agency responsible for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of national infrastructure, particularly roads and bridges. It was formally established in 1868 during the Spanish colonial period and has evolved through various names and reorganizations to address the country’s growing public works needs. Today, it plays a crucial role in national development by managing a vast network of highways and flood control systems.

House Committee on Appropriations

The House Committee on Appropriations is a powerful standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Its primary constitutional role, established under Article I, Section 9, is to draft legislation that allocates federal funds to government agencies, departments, and programs. This “power of the purse” makes it one of the most influential committees in Congress, as it determines the specific spending levels for all discretionary government activities.

Presidential Legislative Liaison Office

The Presidential Legislative Liaison Office is a key executive branch office responsible for managing the relationship between the President and the U.S. Congress. Its primary function is to advocate for the President’s legislative agenda, facilitate communication, and help negotiate the passage of bills. This office has been a critical component of the White House staff structure for decades, evolving to become the central hub for presidential-congressional strategy.

DPWH

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of national infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and flood control systems. It was formally established in 1868 during the Spanish colonial period and has evolved through various names and reorganizations to become the primary agency for public works in the country.

PLLO

I am unable to provide a summary for “PLLO” as it does not correspond to a well-known place or cultural site. It is possible that this is an acronym for an organization, a code, or a misspelling. If you can provide more context or clarify the name, I would be happy to try again.