November 20, 2025 | 7:10am
MANILA, Philippines — Three recently resigned undersecretaries are under investigation for alleged money laundering, Ombudsman Boying Remulla said.
At a press conference on Wednesday, November 19, Remulla said the probe is based on the accounts of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.
The individuals under investigation are former Office of the Executive Secretary Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin, former Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, and Bernardo himself.
“Bersamin, Olaivar and Bernardo were working together in practically laundering money in the narration of Bernardo, just money laundering already,” Remulla said. “That’s already a major offense that was being committed.”
Remulla referred to Bernardo’s testimony before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, describing an unusual system for moving funds intended for DPWH projects.
According to the account, money was placed in an armored van, which then met a second armored van. The funds were transferred to the second vehicle, which then drove away.
“They don’t have a right to that money. It’s money meant for public works, meant to be paid to contractors for work done,” Remulla said.
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Names mentioned by Zaldy Co also under review
Remulla said his office is also looking at individuals mentioned by former lawmaker Zaldy Co, who admitted to inserting P100-billion in funds into the national budget, to be distributed later for kickbacks.
However, the Ombudsman said Co must return to the Philippines and testify under oath.
“Pero he has to come home and swear by the contents of his affidavit. ’Di ba? It’s kasi he’s also being accused of a crime,” Remulla said.
Co made the new claims on November 14 in a video, accusing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his cousin, Rep. Martin Romualdez (Leyte) of ordering the questionable insertions, which he then supposedly implemented.
When asked whether the investigation includes Marcos, Remulla said: “Well, we have to look if it’s possible.”