Ex-ES Bersamin denies P8.3-B ‘allocable’ as alleged in ‘Cabral files’

Former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin expressed his frustration on Sunday over allegations that linked him to the documents supposedly left behind by the late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral. 

This was according to a “24 Oras Weekend” report on Sunday.

“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.

“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,” Bersamin added. 

He issued the statement after Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Saturday said the alleged “Cabral files” tagged at least five Cabinet members who allegedly had allocable and non-allocable funds under the 2025 national budget, including an official identified only as “ES” with a reported P8.3 billion in insertions.

But Lacson did not name or specify the personality being referred to as “ES.”

“At least five. Tapos may undersecretaries. Nagulat din ako, isang nakalagay doon, ‘ES, P8 billion.’ Paano magkaroon ng allocable ang ‘ES’?,” the senator said.

Meanwhile, Bersamin said the so-called “Cabral files” should be “thoroughly scrutinized to unmask those behind the budget manipulation.”

“I respectfully call on all investigative bodies to place this matter at the top of their agenda. This matter strikes directly at the integrity of the national budget itself and must be fully investigated without delay,” he said.

Bersamin assured that he is “eager and willing to cooperate with any legislative, administrative, or judicial investigation of this matter.” 

For her part, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said investigation must push through even if there are Cabinet officials allegedly involved.

“Sino man ang masangkot sa mga Cabinet members at mayroong mga ebidensya, ipagpatuloy lang po ang pagi-imbestiga para matunton ang totoong may sala. Sabi ng Pangulo, kahit sino pa ‘yan, kailangan managot kung sila man ay totoong sangkot,” she said.

(Whoever the involved Cabinet members are and as long as there is evidence, the investigation should simply proceed to track down the true culprit. The President said no matter who they are, they must be held accountable if they are truly involved.)

Castro added that the investigations are now in the hands of bodies like the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Sinuman na may sapat na ebidensya ay maari itong isumit ng sa ICI o dumiretso ng pagsasampa ng kaso sa Ombudsman o sa DOJ,” Castro added. 

(Anyone with sufficient evidence may submit it to the ICI [Independent Peoples Commission] or go directly to filing a case with the Ombudsman or the DOJ.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA Integrated News