Manila: Deputy Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong stated Wednesday that Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s recent expos© has invalidated former Rep. Zaldy Co’s allegations about delivering money to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson’s disclosures included a sworn testimony from former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. This testimony revealed who actually managed and benefitted from the alleged kickbacks, directly contradicting Co’s claims. Lacson, during Senate budget deliberations, shared that Bernardo personally handled PHP52 billion in kickbacks from the alleged PHP81 billion out of the PHP100-billion budget insertions directed to the DPWH, while former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan managed PHP19 billion.

Adiong emphasized that neither the President nor former Speaker Romualdez were involved, as evidence does not support Co’s allegations. He stated in a news release that the names involved do not match Co’s accusations. The chair of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms also noted the absence of any evidence linking the President or Romualdez to the alleged insertion scheme.

Adiong further stressed that the investigation should now focus clearly on the implicated individuals. He urged the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to concentrate its probe on the two former undersecretaries specifically implicated. He stated that following evidence, rather than fabricated narratives, is essential.

The Mindanao lawmaker reiterated the importance of basing investigations on sworn testimony and verifiable documents. He warned that unproven accusations only mislead the public and unjustly damage reputations. Adiong called on all parties to remain focused and allow investigators to carry out their work.

He concluded by saying that the public deserves a process grounded in truth, not noise, and emphasized that Lacson’s expos© lays out the facts that should guide the investigation.