Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo has accused several senators, congressmen, and top infrastructure officials of receiving multi-billion-peso kickbacks from public works projects, saying he personally delivered cash to lawmakers’ aides and residences.
In his supplemental affidavit submitted Friday to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Bernardo claimed that project “commitments” ranging from 12 percent to 25 percent were allegedly demanded and collected by prominent lawmakers, including:
- Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
- Sen. Jinggoy Estrada
- Sen. Grace Poe
- Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero
- Makati Mayor Nancy Binay
- Rep. Mary Mitzi “Mitch” Cajayon-Uy
- Rep. Florida Robes
- Former Rep. Zaldy Co
Bernardo also identified intermediaries allegedly used to facilitate payoff transactions, including Maynard Ngu and DepEd Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar.
He further alleged that DPWH’s highest officials, former Secretaries Mark Villar and Manuel Bonoan, and former Undersecretary Cathy Cabral, controlled the allocation of projects under the National Expenditure Program and received portions of the collected kickbacks.
According to Bernardo, he handled projects worth “billions annually” and was personally instructed to deliver cash to lawmakers or their representatives. His affidavit includes annexes listing projects, amounts, and alleged transactions.
Bernardo said he was aware of the “personal risk” of testifying but insisted that systemic corruption must be exposed. He has asked to be admitted under witness protection and vowed to cooperate fully.
Senate Blue Ribbon chairpersons said the committee will summon all implicated officials. Revilla, Estrada, Escudero, Poe, Villar, and the others have denied wrongdoing in earlier statements.
The allegations come on the heels of the widening flood-control scandal and coincide with former congressman Zaldy Co’s separate claims regarding budget insertions allegedly ordered by President Marcos and Martin Romualdez.
The Senate is expected to hold further hearings to validate Bernardo’s documents and testimony.