It started with a string of messages on a encrypted app. It ended with a sworn affidavit in a Batangas mansion, a 284-8-4 vote in the House, and more questions than answers. Welcome to one of the biggest political firestorms of 2026.
At the center of it all: former Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin, the son of dismissed Executive Secretary and former Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin — and, according to opposition lawmakers, the alleged personal "bagman" of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The Messages That Started It All
In February 2026, ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio and Caloocan Representative Edgar "Egay" Erice dropped a bombshell during a press briefing: they had seen video screen captures of Signal app messages between President Marcos and Adrian Bersamin — and the contents, they said, were damning.
According to Tinio, the exchanges ranged from December 2024 to July 2025 and were centered on one topic: kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects.
One message, allegedly from Bersamin to the President, read:
"Complete na po ang P7.122 delivery sa akin."
Translation: "The P7.122 [billion] delivery to me is already complete."
This was followed by another message:
"Taposin ko po computation today."
Translation: "I will finish the computation today."
Tinio alleged that these messages showed Bersamin reporting collected kickbacks to the President, complete with a breakdown of how the funds were disbursed — covering campaign expenses for candidates supported by the administration, television advertisements, payments to a foreign pollster, and talent fees for performers during the campaign period.
The P2 Billion Delivery at Forbes Park
The alleged exchanges didn't stop there. According to the opposition lawmakers, a message dated July 10, 2025 showed Bersamin informing the President of a cash delivery worth ₱2 billion at the Narra Residences in Forbes Park.
The President's alleged reply?
"Sasabihan ko si Jun Baris."
Translation: "I will inform Jun Baris."
Tinio noted the timing: this alleged kickback message was sent just days before the President stood before Congress — the same President who told his political opponents, in a now-famous soundbite, "Have some shame."
Enter Leandro Leviste
The chain of custody of these messages runs through one of the more enigmatic figures in Philippine politics: Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste.
According to Erice and Tinio, it was Leviste who showed them the Signal message screenshots. And it was at Leviste's residence in Taal, Batangas — in November 2025 — where Bersamin allegedly appeared with a team of lawyers and executed a sworn affidavit.
Why? Because Bersamin, according to Erice, was afraid.
"In Leviste's house, Adrian made an affidavit in Batangas because he was afraid of being made a fall guy, so he prepared it just in case something bad happens to him," Erice said.
To prove that Bersamin's visit actually happened, Leviste reportedly showed the two lawmakers CCTV footage of Bersamin arriving at the Taal property — lawyers in tow.
When asked why the records ended up in Leviste's hands, the lawmakers pointed the question right back at the congressman himself — saying Leviste was in the best position to explain.
What Tinio Called It
Tinio did not mince words about what the alleged messages suggested about Bersamin's role in the administration:
"He appeared to be the personal runner, bagman, and disbursing officer of the President as far as illegal kickbacks are concerned," Tinio said.
He also described how the messages were captured: "They were video screen captures presumably of the phone of Adrian Bersamin himself — the screen capture was turned on and then scrolled through the messages."
Lacson: "Triple Hearsay"
Not everyone was convinced. Former Senator and now-presidential ally Panfilo "Ping" Lacson was quick to challenge the credibility of the claims, summarizing the chain of events with three words: "triple hearsay."
"Coming from Reps. Erice and Tinio, that's triple hearsay. They quoted Rep. Leandro Leviste, who quoted Usec. Bersamin," Lacson said, adding that he was not authorized by the President and that Bersamin misrepresented him in whatever dealings were involved.
Lacson also challenged Erice and Tinio directly: "Why not do it yourselves?" — daring them to pursue a formal investigation rather than hold press conferences.
Malacañang Denies Everything
The Palace was firm in its denial. Presidential Press Officer Claire Castro said President Marcos has "no direct knowledge" of any kickback scheme linked to flood control projects, calling the allegations lies designed to damage the President's reputation.
Bersamin himself has remained publicly silent on the matter — neither confirming nor denying the existence of any affidavit or messages.
The Impeachment That Wasn't
The controversy erupted in the context of impeachment complaints filed against President Marcos in the House of Representatives. The House ultimately voted 284-8-4 to dismiss the complaints for insufficiency in substance.
For Tinio, the lopsided vote was itself an indictment — not of the evidence, but of the system.
"The killing of the impeachment complaint does not end the search for accountability. It only exposes a bankrupt and corrupted political system. The fight for justice will continue — in the streets, in the courts, in the court of public opinion, and in every forum where the voice of the people can be heard," Tinio said.
Where Things Stand
As of this writing, the Signal messages have not been publicly released or independently verified. Bersamin has not spoken to the press. Leviste has deflected questions. And the impeachment is dead — at least for now.
What remains is a story of alleged kickbacks, a frightened former aide, a mysterious congressman, and a paper trail that may or may not lead to the highest office in the land. Whether justice follows is a question the courts — and the Filipino public — will have to answer.
The fight, as Tinio put it, is far from over.