Ex-DPWH official Bernardo tags Escudero, Revilla, Co, Nancy Binay, DepEd usec

Former Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo on Thursday tagged Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, former senators Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay, and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co amid the investigation into anomalous and ghost flood control projects.

Bernardo made the reveal as he read his affidavit during his first appearance before the Senate blue ribbon committee.

The National Bureau of Investigation has recommended the filing of charges against Bernardo after he was tagged by Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara in the previous hearing.

Chiz Escudero

In his affidavit, Bernardo said that Maynard Ngu, Escudero’s campaign contributor and their close friend, asked him to submit a list of projects.

He then submitted a list of projects, some of which were included in the General Appropriations Act.

Bernardo testified that after he gave Ngu the list and asked him how to proceed, Ngu told him that it is up to him. He asked if 20% was acceptable and he said Maynard affirmed that it is.

“After inclusion of the projects in the GAA, I delivered 20% of approximately P800 million or about P160 million to Maynard Ngu which was meant for Senator Escudero,” he said.

 “Finally, I would like to add that deliveries of cash were personally made… by me to Maynard Ngu at his office in Manila,” he added.

Nancy Binay 

In tagging Binay, he said that the senator’s trusted confidant and staff called him and asked for a commitment, which was set at 15% of the total projects listed.

“Engineer Alcantara collected the 15% commitment, or about P37 million, which was turned over to me and which I then delivered to Senator Binay at a house in Quezon City,” he said.

Zaldy Co

Bernardo said that Co once called him regarding Alcantara.

He said Co wanted to know if Alcantara was easy to talk to.

“Engineer Alcantara then told me that Cong. Zaldy Co was asking for a 25% commission and of that amount, 2% was to be shared equally between Engineer Alcantara and myself,” he said. 

According to Bernardo, Alcantara also told him that he made deliveries of cash to Co in compliance to his commitment.

Bong Revilla

According to Bernardo, he gave Revilla a list of projects in 2024.

“Senator Revilla asked for a commitment which I suggested and he then approved at 25% of the total amount of the projects indicated in the list,” he said.

He said Alcantara then collected the 25% commitment or about P125 million. He said this was delivered to him and delivered to Revilla in his house in Cavite.

Trygve Olaivar

Bernardo also named Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar.

He said that in 2024, Olaivar called him to discuss unprogrammed appropriations, allegedly for the Office of the Executive Secretary. He said Olaivar requested him to submit a list of projects.

Upon his order, Alcantara submitted a list of projects worth P2.85 billion. He said he then submitted the list to Olaivar, who told him that the commitment is 15%.

“Thereafter, the DPWH received a Special Allotment Release Order for PhP2.85 billion for the projects,” he said.

“Engineer Alcantara from time to time would collect and deliver the agreed 15% commitment to me which I delivered or cause to be delivered to Usec. Olaivar in Magallanes, Makati, and other places,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bernardo also mentioned Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana, who is being investigated due to his wife being a contractor of flood control projects.

Bernardo said Lipana requested to be referred to officers of the DPWH Bulacan first district. He said he referred him to former Bulacan 1st District assistant engineer Brice Hernandez.

“I have no personal knowledge if they were able to secure a project,” he said.

Bernardo has applied for the Witness Protection Program.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla requested the committee to allow him to bring Bernardo to the Department of Justice for the evaluation of his testimony. The panel granted his request after discussions with its members.

He was brought to the DOJ for the evaluation of his testimony. 

Remulla and Bernardo will return to the Senate after.

Other respondents in the NBI complaint are Alcantara, Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, Co, and Caloocan Representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy.

Denial

In separate statements, Escudero and Binay denied the allegations.

Escudero said it seems that there is a well-orchestrated plan to attack the Senate and its members "to destroy and discredit the institution and to divert the public’s attention from the real perpetrators."

"I vehemently deny the malicious allegations and innuendos made by former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo in today’s Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. By his own admission, he never had any contact with me directly regarding this matter—and I will prove that he is lying about my alleged involvement," he said.

He said he will face the accusations and will filed appropriate charges against Bernardo for his statements. 

Binay expressed surprise and sadness that she was tagged in the issue. 

"Walang katotohanan ang mga bintang sa akin...Madaling magbigay ng mga mali at mapanirang salaysay. But my performance in public service has always been above board and beyond a shadow of doubt," she said in a Facebook post.

In statement, Olaivar denied the allegations and said he will take a voluntary leave of absence to allow a fair investigation into the matter.

“Earlier today, DPWH Usec. Bernardo mentioned my name in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing. I deny the allegations made and want to state clearly that I welcome any investigation regarding this matter,” he said.

“To allow a fair inquiry, I will voluntarily take a leave of absence from my post and am ready to fully cooperate with any and all proceedings,” he added.

GMA News Online reached out to other people mentioned by Bernardo for comment and will publish their statement once available. —AOL, GMA Integrated News