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Jose Rodel Clapano - The Philippine Star
February 13, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Saying that he has pieces of evidence more damning than the so-called Cabral files, Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste maintained that he has evidence that President Marcos was aware of the kickbacks allegedly received by ranking government officials in the flood control projects.
“More than the Cabral files, I have evidence that showed the acceptance of kickbacks. I was advised that this is not yet the right time to release it. However, I had prepared videos so that, whatever happened to me, the truth will come out,” Leviste said, referring to records of the late public works and highways undersecretary Catalina Cabral.
Leviste issued the statement following claims by Act Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio that Leviste has more authority to speak about the conversations through text messages between President Marcos and then legislative liaison officer Adrian Bersamin, which will supposedly prove that the President knew and facilitated kickbacks from anomalous insertions in the national budget.
Tinio said he had seen records of communication between Marcos and the younger Bersamin from December 2024 to July 2025, which detailed where exactly these kickbacks went. “It’s better for Rep. Leviste to be the one to reveal the message, because he can explain the provenance of these records. He is the only one who can explain how he got the records,” Tinio said.
Leviste also claimed yesterday that the parents of some administration congressmen allegedly pleaded with him to go abroad and stop his exposes.
“I don’t want to go abroad. I asked permission from Congress because I was asked by the mothers of some administration congressmen to go abroad instead of continuing to reveal evidence about the proponents of the anomalous DPWH projects,” Leviste said.
“Once these evidence are released, you will understand why they are attacking me because of their fear that I will release it. However, we will not be shaken by their baseless allegations and the truth will come out at the right time,” he added.
“I also expect that former undersecretary (Roberto) Bernardo, secretary (Manuel) Bonoan and other incumbent and former Cabinet secretaries and undersecretaries will also share the truth,” Leviste said.
“The right time will come when those who knew about the anomalous DPWH projects and who received kickbacks are already ready to speak out. And it will only happen if they could feel that they are supported and protected by the people once they reveal the truth,” he added.
Leviste said that the people involved in the flood control anomaly are exerting too much effort to cover up the truth. “I hope that no more witness will be found dead, who will fall on the cliff or will be silenced. But if it will happen, it would better if they left their files, affidavit, or recordings to trustworthy people, so the truth will not be buried,” Leviste said.
Beware of hearsay over flood mess tale – lawmaker
The public should be more discerning with purported news particularly about alleged kickbacks from flood control projects, especially if information has not been verified to be authentic, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong warned yesterday.
“I, for one, I have always been consistent in saying that we should only talk about verified information. Because it is very hard for us to believe what one simply says like this or like that. Before we know it, all of us have our own versions already,” Adiong warned.
‘House remains productive amid impeach duties’
Even as the House of Representatives carried out its constitutional mandate to act on impeachment complaints, majority leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos ensured the chamber remained fully functional and productive, according to deputy speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V.
“The impeachment process is a constitutional duty that we take seriously, but it is only one of many responsibilities of the House. Amid a packed legislative agenda, House majority leader Marcos took the lead in securing the approval of vital measures, acting on the guidance of Speaker (Faustino) Dy. We remained focused on our work – passing priority measures, protecting public welfare and ensuring that the legislative agenda continues to move forward,” Ortega said. – Delon Porcalla
