DPWH execs, Sec. Angara, Sen. Villar tagged in NEP manipulation

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

Bernardo alleged that between 2019 and 2024, Olaivar received deliveries representing 12 percent of certain projects when Secretary Angara was chair of the Senate Finance Committee. (Senate of the Philippines/facebook)

MANILA – Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo alleged on Friday that several high-ranking officials played key roles in the preparation, allocation and manipulation of the National Expenditure Program (NEP), including supposed “commitments” and cash deliveries tied to infrastructure projects across multiple fiscal years.

In his Second Supplemental Affidavit submitted to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Bernardo detailed alleged transactions involving Department of Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, former DPWH secretary and now Senator Mark Villar, former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan, and former DPWH undersecretary for Planning Maria Catalina Cabral.

Bernardo said he first worked with Olaivar in 2010 when the latter was still a staff member of then-senator Ramon Revilla Jr.

He said Olaivar was a “common figure” in budget deliberations and later worked under the late Senator Edgardo Angara and his son, former senator and now Education Secretary Sonny Angara.

Bernardo alleged that between 2019 and 2024, Olaivar received deliveries representing 12 percent of certain projects when Secretary Angara was chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

Bernardo recounted discussions with Olaivar regarding the Special Allotment Release Order issued for the Office of the Executive Secretary, which included projects worth PHP2.85 billion allegedly intended for Central Luzon and the 1st District Engineering Office of Bulacan.

He added that he was still verifying whether an additional PHP12 billion may have been included under the Unprogrammed Appropriations for 2025.

As for his dealings with Villar and Cabral, Bernardo detailed that while he served as Assistant Secretary for Operations beginning 2016, Cabral exercised significant influence over NEP preparations and DPWH budgeting.

He claimed that Cabral, with approval from Villar, would ask him to prepare detailed project lists, including major road and EDSA maintenance allocations, and to submit lump-sum funding proposals.

He alleged that commissions for approved projects under the period were divided as follows: 50 percent for Carlo Aguilar, identified as a cousin of Villar; 25 percent for Cabral; and 25 percent for himself.

Bernardo said that when he was later promoted to undersecretary for operations in 2018, Cabral retained control of planning and continued directing project inclusions, modifications and deletions in the NEP.

Bernardo added that on multiple occasions, he personally delivered or caused to be delivered cash to Cabral at her residence in Tatalon, Quezon City, claiming these were connected to project allocations.

The former undersecretary also described a long, professional relationship with Bonoan, whom he called a mentor.

Bernardo said that unlike during the pandemic period when his functions were limited, Bonoan trusted him with more operational work and budget coordination.

Bernardo alleged that in 2022, Bonoan directed him to submit a list of projects for possible inclusion in the NEP for 2023 amounting to around PHP450 million, followed by project requests worth around PHP150 million for 2024.

For 2025, he said Bonoan instructed him again to prepare a list covering PHP900 million in projects.

He stated that in each instance, he forwarded the lists to Cabral, who “facilitated and ensured” the inclusion of the projects in the NEP.

Bernardo alleged that dismissed DPWH District engineer Henry Alcantara delivered differing “commitment” percentages from the projects, including 10 percent, 15 percent, and 20 percent, depending on the year.

Bernardo claimed that Bonoan received a share of certain commitments coordinated by Alcantara.

He alleged that projects handled for Bonoan for 2023, 2024 and 2025 were valued at at least PHP5 billion per year, with an average commitment of 15 percent, with 75 percent for Bonoan and 25 percent shared by him and Cabral.

He added that Cabral “took charge of her own reserved allocations” each year alongside Bonoan’s preferred projects.

Bernardo said he was often instructed by Bonoan to speak with legislators regarding their funding concerns and to relay matters to Cabral for “action and resolution.”

Secretary Angara denied Bernardo’s allegations linking his office to irregularities in infrastructure projects, saying he was involved in any form of corruption throughout his public service.

“We reject any insinuation made today that we were involved in anomalous projects. In my 21 years in government we have never been involved in corruption,” Angara said in a statement.