MANILA, Nov. 20 -- Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Thursday denied suggestions that he is rushing to defend President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in the alleged PHP100 billion budget insertion and kickback scheme.

In a Viber message to reporters, Lacson said available evidence shows the President was misled and that supposed kickback deliveries could not have involved him.

He said one basis for clearing the President is that Marcos vetoed PHP1.15 billion worth of items from the same list of proposed insertions.

"The three vetoed items amounting to PHP1.15 billion is just one of the bases for clearing the President," he said.

He added that the claim of resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co - that he delivered PHP25 billion in kic...