MANILA – Former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin rejected claims linking him to alleged budget insertions contained in documents known as the “Cabral files,” saying the accusations falsely associate him with billions of pesos in public works projects.
Bersamin issued the denial following reports that documents purportedly left by the late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral referenced an official identified only as “ES,” allegedly tied to P8.3 billion worth of projects under the 2025 national budget.
“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,” Bersamin said in a statement.
He stressed that he had no role in requesting or approving infrastructure funding during his tenure.
“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,” he added.
The statement came after Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson disclosed that the alleged “Cabral files” listed at least five Cabinet officials with supposed allocable and non-allocable funds embedded in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
One entry, Lacson said, referred to an “ES” associated with P8 billion in insertions, though he declined to identify the official.
“At least five. Tapos may undersecretaries. Nagulat din ako, isang nakalagay doon, ‘ES, P8 billion.’ Paano magkaroon ng allocable ang ‘ES’?,” Lacson said.
Bersamin urged authorities to thoroughly examine the documents and identify those responsible for any manipulation of the budget.
“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.
He also said he is prepared to cooperate fully with any formal inquiry.
Bersamin assured that he is “eager and willing to cooperate with any legislative, administrative, or judicial investigation of this matter.”/PN
