HOUSE Committee on Public Accounts Chairman Terry L. Ridon on Saturday dismissed as “triple and double hearsay” the so-called “Bersamin files” allegedly linking President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. to questionable budget insertions, stressing that the supposed communications have “no probative value” absent direct confirmation from former undersecretary Adrian Bersamin.
“Without confirmation from former Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin, all purported communications attributed to him—including any alleged exchanges involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—remain triple and double hearsay. They have no probative value, they have no evidentiary value, whether in court, in impeachment proceedings or congressional inquiries,” said Ridon.
Ridon said Bersamin must categorically address the issue.
“Mr. Bersamin should plainly confirm or deny the authenticity and truth of these alleged communications. Unless and until he does so, there is no sound factual basis for investigative bodies or congressional committees to treat these claims as actionable information,” he said.
Given the seriousness of the accusations, Ridon underscored the need for restraint and responsibility.
“Given the gravity of the allegations, it is imperative that public discourse be anchored on verified facts—not on unauthenticated documents and secondhand narratives,” Ridon said.
His statement came amid separate calls within the House for caution over unverified claims.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong earlier urged colleagues to stick to substantiated disclosures following assertions by ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio that he had seen “records of communications” allegedly tying the President to kickbacks from supposed anomalous insertions in the national budget.
“Ako, I have always been consistent in saying that we should only talk about verified information. Ang hirap po kasi sabi nung isa, ‘yung isa ang magpapaliwanag. Sabi nung isa, ‘yung isa naman,” Adiong said.
He stressed that while lawmakers are free to raise concerns, accusations of such magnitude must be properly presented before the appropriate forum.
“These are serious accusations. Kung may ebidensiya, may tamang proseso para rito. Let us allow institutions to function as they should,” he said.
Adiong recalled that the House Committee on Justice had conducted extensive hearings on the impeachment complaints against the President, where issues were taken up in accordance with House rules and constitutional standards.
“We had a very extensive hearing regarding the impeachment case against the President. With all due respect to our colleagues in the House of Representatives — that was your opportunity to substantiate your claims,” Adiong said.
He maintained that the panel’s dismissal of the complaints was the result of deliberation, not speculation.
“Allegations must be proven, not merely repeated,” Adiong said.
“Due process is not a technicality. It is a safeguard. It protects everyone — including those making the accusations,” Adiong added.
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