Ex-DPWH exec links solons, engineers to flood control scam

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

In his affidavit submitted to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee during the resumption of its flood control probe, Roberto Bernardo said engineers from the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office engaged in a “20-20-20-40” profit-sharing arrangement. (Photo screengrabbed from Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – A former undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) implicated on Thursday several lawmakers and district engineers in alleged commission schemes and ghost projects involving billions of pesos in flood control funds.

In his affidavit submitted to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee during the resumption of its flood control probe, Roberto Bernardo said engineers from the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office engaged in a “20-20-20-40” profit-sharing arrangement.

“Ito po ay ginagawa gamit ang lisensya ng ibang contractors, at nauwi sa mga ghost projects (This was carried out using the licenses of other contractors, and resulted in ghost projects),” Bernardo said.

He named former Bulacan 1st Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez as the “primary person responsible” for the operations.

“Kahit sa mga pagpupulong, si Brice po ang tinuturo ng mga kasamahan niya. Sinasabi nila, ‘Si Brice po iyan (Even in meetings, his colleagues pointed to Brice, saying ‘That was Brice’),” Bernardo added.

Bernardo claimed that Maynard Ngu, described as a close friend and campaign contributor of former Senate president Francis Escudero, received around PHP160 million.

“Ito po ay 20 percent ng PHP800-million na allocation sa Valenzuela at Marinduque projects (This was 20 percent of the PHP800-million allocation for Valenzuela and Marinduque projects),” he said.

Escudero denied Bernardo’s allegations, calling the claims baseless and politically-driven.

“I vehemently deny the malicious allegations and innuendos…he never had any contact with me directly regarding this matter—and I will prove that he is lying about my alleged involvement,” Escudero said in a statement.

The senator said the testimony was part of a “well-orchestrated plan” to discredit the Senate while sparing other figures.

“Puro talaga senador ang tinuturo?! Nasaan si Zaldy Co? Nasaan na si Rep. Martin Romualdez sa lahat ng ito (Why are only senators being pointed to?

Where is Zaldy Co? Where is Rep. Martin Romualdez in all this)?!” he said.

Escudero vowed to file charges against Bernardo, saying his 27 years in public service have been untainted by corruption.

Bernardo further alleged that former senator Ramon Revilla Jr. received about PHP125 million, while former senator and now Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay had a 15-percent “commitment” amounting to roughly PHP37 billion worth of projects.

On Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, Bernardo said: “Ayon kay Engineer Alcantara, may hinihinging 25 percent commission si Congressman Zaldy Co sa mga projects. Dalawang porsyento dito ay pinaghahati-hatian namin (According to Engineer Alcantara, Congressman Zaldy Co was asking for a 25 percent commission from projects. Two percent of this was shared between us).”

“Ang mga pahayag ko ay nakabatay sa personal na kaalaman at mga dokumento na hawak ko. Handa rin akong magsumite ng karagdagang affidavit kung kinakailangan (My statements are based on personal knowledge and records in my possession. I am also ready to submit additional affidavits if necessary),” he said.

The retired official said he is seeking protection after exposing the alleged scheme.

Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla requested to process Bernardo’s sworn affidavit and evaluate his request for inclusion in the Witness Protection Program.