Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo
FORMER Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo implicated Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, former senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay, and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co in the ongoing investigation into anomalous and ghost flood control projects.
Bernardo made these accusations while reading his affidavit during his first appearance before the Senate blue ribbon committee.
He detailed specific instances where he allegedly delivered kickbacks to these individuals in exchange for the inclusion of projects in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
According to Bernardo, Escudero’s campaign contributor, Maynard Ngu, requested a list of projects, and after their inclusion in the GAA, Bernardo delivered 20% of approximately P800 million, or about P160 million, to Ngu for Escudero.
He claimed to have personally made these cash deliveries to Ngu’s office in Manila. Regarding Binay, Bernardo stated that her staff requested a 15% commitment on listed projects, which amounted to about P37 million. He alleges that Engineer Alcantara collected this amount, which was then delivered to Binay at a house in Quezon City.
Bernardo testified that Co inquired about Alcantara’s willingness to negotiate commissions, ultimately leading to Alcantara allegedly delivering cash to Co in compliance with a 25% commission request.
Bernardo further claimed that Revilla requested a 25% commitment on a list of projects submitted in 2024, which amounted to about P125 million. He said Alcantara collected this amount and delivered it to Revilla at his house in Cavite.
Additionally, Bernardo implicated Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, stating that Olaivar requested a list of projects for unprogrammed appropriations, allegedly for the Office of the Executive Secretary, with a 15% commitment.
Bernardo also mentioned Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana, who is being investigated due to his wife being a contractor of flood control projects, stating that he referred Lipana to officers of the DPWH Bulacan first district. Bernardo has applied for the Witness Protection Program, and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has requested the committee to allow him to bring Bernardo to the Department of Justice for the evaluation of his testimony.
