Ex-DPWH Usec bares more detailed corruption in flood control scandal

A retired undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) turned emotional when he testified before the Senate's investigation on the anomalies surrounding the government's flood control project, implicating former and incumbent lawmakers, DPWH officials and other personalities in the mess.

- HANNAH L. TORREGOZA

Roberto Bernardo, a former DPWH undersecretary and a resident of Malolos City, Bulacan, in his testimony before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Friday, Nov. 14, also admitted to receiving kickbacks when he named several politicians allegedly involved in the anomalous infrastructure projects, having worked for the agency for decades.

Though their names have already been mentioned previously by other witnesses in the same hearing, Bernardo, in his own testimony, implicated in the flood control mess former senators Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, and former representatives Mary Mitzi "Mitch" Cajayon-Uy, Zaldy Co, Florida Robes, and former undersecretary Trygve Olaivar of the Department of Education (DepEd).

He also mentioned having transactions with Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

Cabral

Bernardo claimed he worked closely with then DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, Undersecretary Maria Catalina "Cathy" Cabral, and eventually, with former Secretary Manuel Bonoan, whom he considered his mentor and friend.

"Prior to Sec. Bonoan's assumption as secretary of the DPWH, I was the DPWH Undersecretary for Operations and Planning for NCR (National Capital Region) and Visayas, having assumed the said position in 2018," Bernardo said, while reading his sworn second supplemental affidavit.

"Unlike during the time of Sec. Mark Villar, when I was not given many tasks... even removed as BAC (Bids and Awards Committee) chairman and had very limited operational functions during the Covid pandemic period, Sec. Bonoan entrusted me with more operational functions and let me work more closely with Usec. Cabral," he narrated.