Former Executive Secretary and Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin may not have requested or approved the alleged ₱8-billion worth of Office of the President (OP) projects linked in the ‘Cabral Files’, Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste said, calling for a full investigation to uncover who may have allegedly used Bersamin’s name in the controversial allocations.
In an interview with Dos Por Dos, Leviste emphasized that his discussion was based solely on the items listed under the alleged ₱8-billion allocation for "OP–ES" (Office of the President, Executive Secretary) projects.
He said Bersamin has publicly denied any involvement in funding these projects and has called for an investigation to identify who actually used his name in the alleged allocations.
“We cannot draw conclusions sino ang tunay na nagpopondo nito pero ang mabuti na lang po [ay] imbestigahan ng either House of Congress dahil malaking halaga ito,” Leviste said.
He added that Bersamin himself described the matter as one that “strikes directly at the integrity of the national budget itself and must be fully investigated without delay.”
Leviste noted that the list contains projects such as flood control initiatives and other infrastructure undertakings that appear overpriced.
“It’s of national interest that we scrutinize the whole list,” he said, pointing out that some names on the list include other government officials, lawmakers, and senators.
When asked whether he was absolving Bersamin personally, Leviste said they immediately denied involvement and called for an investigation.
“Dahil wala naman pong pangalan ng tao nakatukoy sa label na ‘yan. Ang pangalan po ay opisina and maraming mga tao doon,” the lawmaker said.
“At maaaring may gumamit ng pangalan o maaaring mga taga-DPWH lang makakapagpaliwanag at ginamit lang ang pangalan nito para makakuha ng 8-bilyong pisong budget,” he added.
Leviste said he brought up the matter after Senator Panfilo Lacson highlighted the large sum involved, stressing the need for transparency and accountability in the national budget.
