Ridon sees 'no probative value' in 'Bersamin files'
Published Feb 14, 2026 11:07 pm
At A Glance
- Not just double hearsay, but even triple hearsay. That's how Committee on Public Accounts Chairman Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon described the quality of the allegations from the so-called "Bersamin files", which linked President Marcos to questionable insertions in the national budget.
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon (left), President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (PPAB, Facebook)
Not just double hearsay, but even triple hearsay.
That's how Committee on Public Accounts Chairman Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon described the quality of the allegations from the so-called “Bersamin files”, which linked President Marcos to questionable insertions in the national budget
“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," Ridon said in a statement Saturday, Feb. 14.
"They have no probative value, they have no evidentiary value, whether in court, in impeachment proceedings or congressional inquiries,” said the lawyer-solon.
As far as Ridon is concerned, it's Bersamin who 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.
He said that given the seriousness of the accusations, “It is imperative that public discourse be anchored on verified facts—not on unauthenticated documents and secondhand narratives."
His statement came amid separate calls within the House for caution over unverified claims.
Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong earlier urged colleagues to stick to substantiated disclosures following assertions by ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio that he had seen “records of communications” allegedly tying the President to kickbacks from supposed anomalous insertions in the national budget.
“These are serious accusations. Kung may ebidensiya, may tamang proseso para rito (If there's evidence, there's a proper process for it). Let us allow institutions to function as they should,” Adiong said.