In a statement, Bersamin said he did not request nor authorized any budget allocation from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

"I am aghast and outraged at the insinuation that the tag 'ES' found in the so-called Cabral Files pertained to me as the then Executive Secretary to whom was allocated P8.3 billion worth of DPWH projects under the GAA (General Appropriations Act) 2025," Bersamin said on Sunday, Dec. 29.

"I emphatically state that I did not ever request, endorse, approve, or authorize any DPWH project or budget allocation at any stage of the budget process," Bersamin added.

The former Palace official also denied having instructed anyone, whether inside or outside of the government, to use his name or his former office for any such purpose. 

He pointed out that the incident raises more questions about the deeply flawed budget process followed at the DPWH. 

Thus, he stressed that the so-called Cabral files must be thoroughly investigated.

"I strongly urge that the so-called Cabral Files should be thoroughly scrutinized to unmask those behind the budget manipulation," Bersamin said.

He also called on investigative bodies to place the matter at the top of their agenda, stressing that it "directly at the integrity of the national budget itself and must be fully investigated without delay."

The former executive secretary expressed he would be willing to cooperate with any investigation over the allegations stemmed from the files allegedly coming from former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.

"I am eager and willing to cooperate with any legislative, administrative, or judicial investigation of this matter," Bersamin sai