Bersamin to congressmen: 'Clean your house first'

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Saturday criticized some lawmakers in the House of Representatives for allegedly attempting to blame the Executive Department for the issues in the budget process amid calls for accountability in anomalous flood control projects.

“The Cabinet strongly objects to the recent spins coming from certain members of the House of Representatives who are thereby attempting to shift the blame for their own corruption and failures onto the Executive Branch,” Bersamin said.

“The Members of the Cabinet will not tolerate any attack on the integrity and reputation of the Executive Branch, and any effort to hold the budget process hostage by political theatrics,” he added.

All investigations into the anomalies, Bersamin said, will be "futile if the sources of corruption remain unchecked."

"Hence, we urge the House of Representatives to heed the demand of the people for full accountability: CLEAN YOUR HOUSE FIRST!"

Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez said Bersamin's remarks were in response to the House's initial plan to return the 2026 National Expenditure Program--the basis for drafting the government's P6.7-trillion spending plan next year—to the Executive Department over erroneous items.

GMA News Online reached out to House spokesperson Princess Abante to get comment on the matter.

Deputy Speaker and Antipolo Representative Ronaldo Puno earlier flagged the 2026 NEP for zero allocations for multi-year programs as well as provisions allocating budget to government projects that were already finished.

On Thursday, Abante said lawmakers deferred the plan provided that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) address the erroneous entries.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has already tasked DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to fully review the agency's budget and make the necessary corrections for the NEP 2026.

Marcos is also set to create an independent commission to probe irregularities in flood control projects and other DPWH projects marred by corruption. —with a report from Mariel Celine Serquiña/VBL/KG, GMA Integrated News