Ombudsman eyes charges vs ex-Cabinet officials

National

OMBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin Remulla said he is preparing possible charges of conspiracy to commit plunder against former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and former Presidential legislative liaison official Adrian Bersamin, citing what he described as a troubling pattern of actions meant to defraud the government.

Speaking in an interview with Storycon on One News, Remulla revealed that Bersamin—grandnephew of resigned executive secretary Lucas Bersamin—had been a person of interest since Remulla’s tenure as justice secretary.

In a report by Philstar, Remulla said recent testimonies and findings suggest a coordinated effort involving several officials.

Remulla said evidence so far points to “plunder with a conspiracy angle,” stressing that the activities under review appear to show multiple actors taking advantage of public funds.

While the ongoing investigation may also cover possible malversation, he said the broader pattern more closely resembles a plunder scheme.

Calling it “a conspiracy to defraud the government,” Remulla recounted past concerns about Adrian Bersamin’s alleged meddling in official functions. He recalled disagreements with then–executive secretary Lucas Bersamin over appointments and decisions made without proper coordination with his office.

Although he made clear that Lucas Bersamin himself is not under suspicion, the ombudsman faulted the former executive secretary for failing to restrain his younger relative. Allowing Adrian to operate unchecked, Remulla said, raised red flags long before the current controversy erupted.

The Ombudsman also pointed to the possibility that extensive authority delegated to Cabinet officials may have exposed Pangandaman to “temptations.”

He mentioned learning only recently of the involvement of resigned education undersecretary Trygve Olaivarin, whose name has surfaced in the investigation.

Remulla said statements from former congressman Zaldy Co and ex–public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo strengthened suspicions of a close working relationship among Adrian Bersamin, Olaivarin and Pangandaman. He emphasized that these accounts helped connect the dots in what investigators now see as a potentially coordinated network.

Following her resignation, Pangandaman issued a statement defending her record, saying she had served with sincerity and aimed to ensure every peso was properly used. She added that she would continue supporting the administration in a private capacity.(Ma. Victoria Diana, USJ-R Comm Intern)