There is a record of communication between former Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., spanning from December 2024 to July 2025. According to minority lawmakers who disclosed it, the messages show the President's direct knowledge of — and participation in — an alleged kickback scheme involving flood control funds.
The allegations were brought to light by ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio in February 2026, based on documents reportedly obtained by Congressman Leandro Leviste and shared with several minority members, including Congressman Erwin Erice.
"Sa madaling sabi, may malakas na ebidensya sa alegasyon na may alam, alam na alam ng Pangulo ang korapsyon sa flood control, direktang lumahok siya at tumanggap siya ng kickback mula rito." ("In plain terms, there is strong evidence supporting the allegation that the President knew — knew fully well — about the corruption in flood control, that he directly participated and received kickbacks from it.") — Rep. Antonio Tinio
The Messages
At the center of the allegations is an exchange between Usec. Bersamin and President Marcos in which Bersamin reportedly confirmed receipt of a cash delivery from a person identified only as "Bernardo." The message, as cited by Tinio, read:
"Complete na po ang 7.122 delivery sa akin. Tapusin ko po ang computation today."
("The 7.122 delivery to me is complete. I will finish the computation today.")
The President's alleged reply was a single word: "Okay."
The figure "7.122" is understood to refer to ₱7.122 billion — part of a total alleged kickback of ₱8 billion sourced from flood control project funds.
Where the Money Allegedly Went
The documents cited by Tinio reportedly include a detailed breakdown of expenditures from the ₱8 billion. According to his disclosure, the funds were used for:
- Campaign expenses for candidates backed by the administration in the last elections
- Television advertisement costs for the campaign
- ₱6 million paid to a foreign pollster named "Perun," described as an election consultant used by Malacañang
- ₱68 million in talent fees for a performer engaged for administration campaign events
The alleged breakdown paints a picture not just of corruption, but of a systematic conversion of public infrastructure funds into political campaign resources.
July 10: Days Before "Mahiya Naman Kayo"
The most politically charged message in the alleged record came on July 10, 2025. According to Tinio, Usec. Bersamin sent word to the President that he was delivering ₱2 billion in cash to the Nara Residence in Forbes Park. The President's reported response:
"Sasabihan ko si Jun Baris."
("I will inform Jun Baris.")
The timing is striking. Just days after this alleged exchange, the President appeared before Congress for a hearing and told lawmakers: "Mahiya naman kayo" — roughly translated as "You should be ashamed of yourselves." The minority bloc now points to that moment as deeply ironic, if the allegations are proven true.
Who Is Bersamin? Who Is Bernardo?
Usec. Adrian Bersamin served as an official under the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, the body responsible for coordinating the executive branch's legislative agenda with Congress. His alleged role in the scheme was as intermediary — receiving cash from "Bernardo" and relaying it upward to the President.
The identity of "Bernardo" has not been fully established in Tinio's public disclosures. He is described as the original source of the ₱8 billion kickback — suggesting someone embedded within the flood control procurement chain.
How the Documents Spread
The records did not stay in one pair of hands. According to Tinio, copies were obtained by Congressman Leviste and distributed to select minority members including Erice. An LGU official is also said to be in possession of a copy — a detail the minority highlights as evidence that the documents cannot easily be suppressed or discredited.
The fact that multiple independent parties hold the same records lends weight to the allegation's credibility, even as their authenticity has not yet been independently verified.
No Official Response Yet
As of writing, Malacañang has not issued an official statement addressing the specific allegations raised by Tinio. Usec. Bersamin has also not publicly responded. The documents have not been independently authenticated.
What is clear is that the allegations are being taken seriously within Congress, and carry the potential to escalate into a full legislative investigation — or worse for the administration, a broader legal proceeding.
If proven, these messages would place President Marcos at the direct center of one of the largest corruption scandals of his administration — not as a distant beneficiary, but as an active, responsive participant who replied to billion-peso delivery confirmations with a single, damning word: "Okay."