Former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Tuesday challenged accusers to “sue me instead” over allegations he was involved in a ₱100‑billion insertion in the 2025 budget, denying any role and insisting only the courts can establish such claims.
Bersamin, who said he resigned only after submitting a letter late Tuesday and not “out of delicadeza” as Malacañang earlier announced, warned that innuendo and social media gossip were damaging his reputation.
“Hindi ko na kailangan ipaliwanag pa yan dahil wala talaga akong kinalaman tungkol sa budget. Kung may mga tao na gusto akong i‑implicate dyan, itigil nyo na yan. Idemanda nyo na lang ako para sagutin ko ng tama. Kasi right now puro innuendo, puro mga pasaring,” Bersamin said in a phone patch interview with the Malacañang Press Corps.
He stressed that if there is evidence against him, it should be proven in court and not spread through gossip, warning that social media can quickly destroy reputations.
“Di maganda yan. Justice ako dati. Wala akong iskandalo, kahit ng kalokohan. Ngayon pa na Executive Secretary ako, idadamay nyo ako sa ganyan, idadawit nyo ako. Patunayan nyo na lang yan kung may patunay. Kung chismis lang, huwag naman. Dahil sa social media napakabilis na makasira,” he said.
Bersamin added that if Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson has evidence against him, he respects the senator’s declaration but insisted it must be proven in court.
“If Sen. Lacson has the evidence, we will respect his declaration there. Pero sa tingin ko lang, kung batay lang sa mga kwento ni Zaldy Co at ni Bernardo, hindi ko pwedeng sabihin na naniniwala akong agad. Alam mo, naging judge at abogado ako, naging judge ng matagal, itong mga bagay na ito, paratang na ganito should ultimately be established in court,” he explained.
“Dapat guarded naman para hindi masira ang reputasyon ng mga tao.”
Bersamin also clarified that he did not voluntarily resign, contrary to Malacañang’s earlier announcement that he stepped down “out of delicadeza.” He said he only submitted his resignation letter on Tuesday.
“I resigned out of delicadesa. Masarap pakinggan ang out of delicadesa. Pero di naman totoo yan, di ako nag‑resign. The only letter I sent regarding my position na wala na was that letter I signed yesterday late afternoon na sinabi ko I bow to the prerogative of the President,” he said.
He confirmed that he met with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday night but declined to disclose details, citing confidentiality under executive privilege. (RRN)
