MANILA — Fresh political tensions gripped the House of Representatives after ACT Teachers party-list’s Cong. Antonio Tinio claimed the existence of a video affidavit allegedly linking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to supposed irregularities in flood control projects — even as he admitted his account was based on hearsay.
Tinio said former Presidential Legislative Liaison Office chief Adrian Bersamin purportedly recorded a video affidavit containing information that could implicate the President in alleged kickbacks tied to flood control funds. The lawmaker claimed the video is in the possession of Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste and was recorded at Leviste’s residence.
“Pumunta sa bahay niya si Usec. Adrian Bersamin para buuin ‘yung affidavit containing this information bilang proteksyon sa sarili nya, dahil kung ididiin sya na involved sa kickbacks and corruption ay ipapakita nya na utos ito ng pangulo,” Tinio said.
However, Tinio acknowledged that he was not present during the alleged recording.
“Kwento na iyan ni Leandro dahil sa bahay niya ginawa. Everything I’m telling you is, of course, hearsay dahil wala naman ako roon,” he added.
Tinio said Leviste showed him closed-circuit television footage purportedly showing Bersamin entering and leaving the Batangas lawmaker’s residence, but clarified that the alleged files were not attached to the second impeachment complaint he endorsed against Marcos. That complaint was later dismissed by a House committee.
According to Tinio, Leviste had been hesitant to publicly release the material.
“According to him it was better for Bersamin to reveal the matter, instead of him doing it,” Tinio said.
Tinio also called on the Office of the Ombudsman to include Bersamin in its ongoing investigation into alleged anomalies involving flood control funds.
Leviste earlier declined to issue a statement but urged the public to listen to Tinio and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, who both claimed that Leviste had shown them alleged text exchanges between Marcos and Bersamin concerning supposed kickbacks linked to flood control projects.
Leviste previously said Taal, Batangas Mayor Nene Bainto also has a copy of the so-called “Bersamin files.” Efforts are ongoing to obtain confirmation from Bainto./PN
