Ex-DPWH Usec Bernardo admits wrongdoing in flood control projects

Former Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo on Thursday admitted that he was complicit in anomalies in certain flood control projects.

During the continuing hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee, Bernardo said that he applied as a state witness following his admission.

“Ako po ay umaamin sa aking mali nagawa. Ako po ay hindi naging matatag at tapat sa pagpapatupad ng tungkulin na ipinagkatiwala sa akin ng ating pamahalaan at sambayanan. Taos puso at puno ng pagsisisi na ako ay humihingi ng kapatawaran sa Diyos, sa ating bansa, at kababayan, gayon din sa aking at pamilya, mga kaibigabn, at sa lahat ng aking binigo,” Bernardo said. 

“Nakagawa  ako ng pagkakamali at pinahintulutan ko ang aking sarili na maging kasangkapan sa pagpapatupad ng isang masamang gawain. Handa ako gawin ang lahat ng nararapat upang maiwasto ang aking kamalian at maiwasan na ito’y mangyari muli,” he added. 

Bernardo said that four senators, one congressman, one member of the constitutional commission, and one undersecretary were linked to the alleged irregularities in the flood control projects. 

He said that their involvement was “seriously undermining public trust in two out of three branches of the government and a constitutional body thereby posing a significant threat to our national security as it may lead to political instability which may weaken the ability of the government to function effectively.”

READ: Who is DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo?

Dismissed Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara on Tuesday admitted that he worked with Bernardo in giving commissions off flood control projects to the camps of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, former senator Bong Revilla Jr., Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, and former Caloocan representative Mitch Cajayon.—AOL, GMA Integrated News