Manila: Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo has implicated several lawmakers, including five senators, in alleged irregularities related to project allocations, fund 'commitments,' and cash deliveries tied to flood-control and infrastructure projects spanning from 2005 to 2025.
According to Philippines News Agency, Bernardo's affidavit was presented during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's hearing, identifying Senators Francis Escudero and Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, and former senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Grace Poe, and Nancy Binay. He claimed their offices or intermediaries were involved in coordinating project lists or receiving supposed 'commitments' related to DPWH-funded initiatives.
Bernardo stated that his assertions are based on 'personal knowledge, observations, and authentic records,' and he is willing to provide further documentation to support his claims. His relationship with Revilla reportedly began in 2005 or 2006 in Laguna, with Revilla allegedly becoming the godfather of two of Bernardo's daughters.
In 2024, Bernardo claimed Revilla requested a list of projects to aid in his national campaign, implying a 25 percent commitment. The project list, amounting to PHP1.45 billion, was allegedly submitted to Revilla, with a supposed PHP125 million commitment delivered in boxes and a paper bag.
Bernardo also alleged involvement of Grace Poe's staff in a PHP500 million project request in 2024, with a contractor collecting a 20 percent commitment. Similar allegations were made against Nancy Binay's aide Carleen Yap-Villa, who reportedly coordinated project lists from 2018 to 2024, with varying commitments suggested.
Bernardo stated that contributions were allegedly made to projects linked to Senators Escudero and Estrada. Escudero was reportedly connected through businessman Maynard Ngu, who coordinated political fundraising and project requests. For Estrada, Bernardo alleged a 25 percent commitment was delivered amounting to PHP213 million in 2025.
Other congressional projects, according to Bernardo, involved arrangements through DPWH engineers, with alleged funding coordination linked to Rep. Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, Rep. Florida Robes, and former Rep. Zaldy Co.
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Panfilo Lacson has committed to reviewing all related affidavits and testimonies, emphasizing that the inquiry will focus on evidence rather than personalities. Bernardo expressed readiness to submit additional information to aid in the investigation.
In response, the implicated senators have denied the allegations. Senator Villar dismissed them as fabricated, while Senator Binay denied any involvement in DPWH projects. Senator Poe expressed confidence in the Department of Justice to investigate the claims, and Revilla's camp labeled the accusations as 'outright fabrications.'
