State witness says he got P1 million token from contractors per project

State witness and former Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region Regional Director Gerard Opulencia admitted receiving P1 million as “pasasalamat” or token gift from contractors for every government project implemented during his time as district engineer of North Manila. 

Opulencia made the revelation when he testified before the Sandiganbayan Third Division bail hearing of former Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and five other accused of malversation in connection with the P92.8 million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan which location has no visible structure. 

“May natatanggap po ako na pasasalamat from contractors kapag maayos naman po ang mga proyekto,” Opulencia answered when asked by Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Ronald Moreno if he ever received money from contractors during his time as district engineer.

(I received tokens of the projects that are well done.) 

“P1 million po,” Opulencia answered when asked how much was the largest “pasasalamat” he received.  

Opulencia testified that as NCR Regional Director, he instructs four district engineers to collect commitment fee for delivery of certain recipients, including proponents or public officials, upon the instructions of his fellow state witness and ex-DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. 

Opulencia, however, said he does not know how district engineers collect commitment fee from contractors. 

“Hindi ko po alam (I don't know). I don’t have personal knowledge,”  Opulencia said. 

This statement earned the ire of Sandiganbayan Third Division chairperson and Associate Justice Karl Miranda, saying “I cannot believe you.” 

“Iinutos mo tapos di mo alam paano kukunin? Pinaglololoko mo ba kami? This is a public hearing. You were given immunity from suit. You should tell the whole truth,” Miranda said. 

(You give orders and you don't know how they pull it off? Are you fooling us here?) 

Opulencia maintained that he does not know how the commitment fee is raised.

Opulencia earlier promised to restitute or return P150 million to the government as a precondition for his application as a state witness. 

On Friday, Opulencia told the court that he is already able to return P130 million of the P150 million he promised. 

When asked for the basis of the P150 million amount that he promised to return, Opulencia replied that it is "based on the assessment of the DOJ," referring to the Department of Justice which manages the witness protection program where state witnesses are enlisted. 

Miranda ended the proceedings by raising doubts on whether Opulencia deserved immunity from suit. 

“Nag-iisip ako if you truly deserve it,” Miranda added.

(I am now thinking if you deserve your status.) — RSJ, GMA News