ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio on Wednesday pressed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to explain whether he ordered a ₱100‑billion insertion in the 2025 budget, warning that silence is untenable amid a corruption probe and urging him to also address long‑standing allegations of drug use.
Tinio said Marcos cannot remain silent on the issue, especially since it involves a corruption scandal that the President himself ordered investigated.
“The President owes it to the public kung bakit niya tinanggap ang resignations nina Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin at DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, mga susing tao sa economic team. Kailangan marinig mismo sa Presidente ang paliwanag lalo na kung may kinalaman ito sa corruption scandal na pinaiimbestigahan niya sa layuning linisin ang pamahalaan,” Tinio said on Ted Failon and DJ Chacha radio program interview Wednesday morning.
He added: “Hindi puwedeng manahimik ka lang. Kailangan sagutin niya, mayroon ka ba talagang direktang utos sa insertion?”
Tinio also challenged Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Sen. Ping Lacson to summon Bersamin, Pangandaman, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, former DepEd Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, and former Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin in the next hearing.
He said their sworn testimonies should establish whether Marcos Jr. issued a directive to insert the ₱100 billion into the budget.
Separately, Tinio urged Marcos to address persistent allegations that he is a drug user, claims long associated with the Duterte camp
“Hindi na bago, matagal ng talking point ng mga Duterte na drug user ang pangulo. The President should once and for all address it. Totoo ba o hindi, the President should put a stop to all these allegations,” Tinio declared. (ZIA LUNA)
