MANILA— Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo identified Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson as the only senator he knew to have no involvement in commitments or kickbacks involving government infrastructure projects.

Bernardo made the statement Thursday while answering clarificatory questions from Sandiganbayan Third Division Associate Justice Ronald Moreno.

Moreno asked whether there were lawmakers who could be considered “heroes” for refusing to receive money in connection with infrastructure projects.

“Only Senator Lacson po,” Bernardo replied, according to news reports.

Lacson welcomed the testimony, saying it should put to rest questions about his integrity.

“To the naysayers, let me be clear: I have never asked for or accepted allocables, leadership funds, bribes, or lobby money in any capacity in government. My greatest inheritance from my beloved parents, regardless of our station in life, is my integrity, and no amount of doubt can take that away,” he said.

The senator has repeatedly rejected pork barrel allocations and alleged bribe offers disguised as “lobby money” throughout his years in law enforcement and public service.

He has also said he turned down bribes offered by gambling operators and other criminal figures while serving in law enforcement, as well as rewards from relatives of kidnapping victims rescued by his team.

Lacson reiterated his defense of his integrity following remarks by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano last July questioning the increase in his declared net worth based on his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) for 2022 and 2025.

Lacson explained that his net worth nearly quadrupled during the three years he was out of government after leaving the Senate on June 30, 2022. He attributed the increase to legitimate income reflected in his income tax returns for 2023 and 2024.

Meanwhile, Lacson and his staff have submitted at least 45 case studies to the Office of the Ombudsman detailing alleged irregularities in flood control infrastructure projects in Taguig City.

The submissions, which also involved alleged illegal reclamation activities, prompted the Ombudsman to conduct a fact-finding investigation into the reported anomalies.