Ex-Usecs. Bersamin, Olaivar face complaint over alleged flood control kickback

Complaints for graft and violation of Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials complaints, among others, were filed Monday against former Presidential Legislative Liason Office undersecretary Adrian Bersamin and former Education undersecretary Trygve Olaivar for allegedly collecting money off anomalous flood control projects.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan chairperson Teddy Casiño and Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot David San Juan filed the complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman.

The complainants said it is unacceptable that Bersamin and Olaivar remain unscathed in the flood control probe even if state witness and former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, as well as resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, identified them as the ones responsible for collecting money off anomalous flood control projects supposedly for President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

“ICI’s tenure is almost done. Wala man lang matataas na opisyal na napanagot, walang nakulong. Merong mga kaso pero iilan lamang at saka 'yung mga maliliit na isda lamang. Hindi pwedeng gano'n na lamang ang nangyari sa mga imbestigasyon na 'yan. Hindi pwedeng magkalimutan na lang,” Casiño told reporters.

(We are yet to hold high-level officials accountable or send them to jail. Cases against big fish are few and far between. We cannot let that slide and forget about their accountability here.) 

“Dapat kilusan na nila ito. Para wala na silang masabi, kami na naghain ng complaint,” he added.

(They should act on this promptly. We already filed the complaint so they cannot say we did not do our part.) 

San Juan, on the other hand, said grave allegations of violating anti-corruption law leveled against Olaivar and Bersamin cannot be set aside just because they used to occupy high-level posts in the administration

“Ito ay bahagi ng pagpapanagot natin sa lahat ng mga sangkot. Sila ay sinasabing nakatanggap o tumanggap (This part of the process of making those involved accountable. They were accused of receiving money) on behalf of the Malacañang Palace. And nothing happened with ICI investigation, so we want the Ombudsman to act on this complaint,” San Juan said.

He said that for one, directly and indirectly requesting and receiving shares, percentage, and benefit for themselves and for the President in connection to the 2024 and 2025 national budgets as allegedly committed by Bersamin and Olaivar are violations of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

“Civil forfeiture cases should also be filed so we can recover the money stolen,” San Juan added.

Bersamin and Olaivar have resigned in their respective government posts in the heat of the flood control probe.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, on the other hand, previously said that Bersamin and Olaivar are already being investigated.

Bersamin and Olaivar, however, are yet to face charges to this day.

These things considered, Casiño then said that resignation does not serve the appropriate punishment for Olaivar and Bersamin.

“Their resignation is their attempt to escape accountability, pero hindi naman puwede iyon. Hindi naman ang resignation ang parusa sa mga nagnanakaw o nagpafaciliate ng pagnanakaw ng bilyon-bilyon. Kailangan silang makasuhan, kailangan silang mag-undergo ng trial, at kailangan silang parusahan,” he said.

(They cannot get away with this by just resigning. Those who steal public funds or facilitate such crime are not punished by resignation. These people need to be charged before court, face trial and the corresponding penalty.)

“Hindi resignation ang hinihingi ng taong bayan, kundi hustisya at pananagutan,” he added.

(The public is not asking for resignation. The public seeks justice and accountability.)

Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot's David San Juan and Bayan chairperson Teddy Casiño: Ex-PLLO Usec Adrian Bersamin and ex-DepEd Usec Trygve Olaivar should not be left off the hook in the flood control probe since they allegedly collected kickbacks for the President @gmanews pic.twitter.com/RcHwQB1Jd3

— Llanesca T. Panti (@llanescajourno) March 30, 2026

  —AOL, GMA Integrated News