Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson confirmed on DZRH Dos Por Dos that the ₱100-billion budget insertions flagged by former congressman Zaldy Co were real items inserted during the bicameral conference committee deliberations.

Lacson emphasized that while the existence of a ₱100-billion list “is true,” the allegation linking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to supposed commissions is “absolutely untrue.”

He said he, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, and former DPWH official Roberto Bernardo independently verified the list of items revealed by Zaldy Co in his online post.

“Napanood niya [Bernardo] yung video ni Zaldy Co, chineck niya, naalala niya meron siyang files, tapos isa-isa niyang kinounter check, tatlo kaming nagchecheck eh,” Lacson said, further noting that although some entries contained typos or inconsistencies, the total closely matched Co’s claimed amount.

Lacson said Co had claimed he was told by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin that the President ordered the insertions. Lacson clarified that Co had no direct contact with President Marcos and was relying on the representation of officials.

Bernardo, who reportedly handled ₱52 billion of the funds, contradicted Co’s viral claim that he personally delivered ₱25 billion as a supposed 25-percent commission for the President.

According to Lacson, Bernardo said he made about 10 deliveries of cash, with ₱8 billion reportedly going to former DepEd Usec. Trygve L. Olaivar, ₱1 billion to former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and the remainder to various agencies. Bernardo also noted that the suitcases shown in Co’s viral video could only hold around ₱500 million—far less than claimed.

“While the ₱100-billion insertions were real, Co’s claim that he delivered ₱25 billion for the President is absolutely untrue,” Lacson stressed.