Ex-DPWH official Bernardo applied as state witness — Hosaka

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo has applied as state witness in the investigation into anomalous flood control projects, Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) spokesperson Brian Hosaka said Monday.

At a press briefing, Hosaka said Bernardo submitted a letter to the ICI explaining why he could not attend today’s hearing.

“Nabanggit din po sa sulat na siya po ngayon ay nag-apply under the Witness Protection Program (WPP)… dito po sa batas na ito ay pinaliwanag niya that there is a confidentiality clause or provision wherein siya po ay ipinagbabawal na mag disclose ng anumang impormasyon na konektado sa kanyang application bilang pagiging state witness,” he said.

(It was also mentioned in the letter that he has now applied under the Witness Protection Program (WPP)… under this law, he explained that there is a confidentiality clause or provision wherein he is prohibited from disclosing any information connected to his application to become a state witness.)

Bernardo is currently a “protected witness” under the WPP.

Authorities previously said that a state witness is someone who is completely freed from criminal liability.

According to Hosaka, Bernardo submitted his second supplementary affidavit, the same affidavit that he read before the Senate blue ribbon committee last week.

“Tinanggap po ng komisyon ang kanyang sulat at ang kanyang affidavit para mapag-aralan at masama sa aming imbestigasyon,” he said.

(The commission accepted his letter and his affidavit so they can be studied and included in our investigation.)

He said that the affidavit will be included in the next referral to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres previously said that Bernardo, along with other whistleblowers, have “told-all” to the Department of Justice, providing enough evidence to implicate even senators. 

In September, during his first appearance before the Senate, Bernardo tagged Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, former senators Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay, and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co to the anomalous flood control projects.

Last week, Benardo implicated more individuals, including ex-Secretary Manuel Bonoan, as among those who received kickbacks in infrastructure projects.

Bernardo admitted facilitating alleged kickbacks for Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, former senator Grace Poe, former Caloocan Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy, San Jose del Monte Mayor Rida Robes, and former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.

He claimed that these officials received kickbacks ranging from 15% to 25% over the projects.

All those Bernardo implicated have since denied the allegations against them. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News