The situation, in brief
Former Public Works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo on Thursday, September 25, alleged that Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, former senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay, Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar received kickbacks tied to flood control and…
Former Public Works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo on Thursday, September 25, alleged that Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, former senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay, Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar received kickbacks tied to flood control and infrastructure projects.
In his affidavit submitted to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Bernardo alleged that Escudero benefited through Maynard Ngu, whom he called a “close friend and campaign contributor” of the senator.
He said he delivered ₱160 million in cash, representing 20% of around ₱800 million worth of projects in Valenzuela and Marinduque, to Ngu’s office in Manila.
When Bernardo asked how the arrangement should proceed, he quoted Ngu as saying: “Bahala ka na.” When the ex-DPWH official asked, “Boss, okay na ba ang 20%,” Ngu reportedly said “Okay.”
For Revilla, Bernardo said he met the senator in 2024 and handed him a list of projects coursed through then Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara.
“Senator Revilla asked for a commitment which I suggested and he then approved at 25%,” Bernardo stated.
He added that Alcantara later collected ₱125 million, which “was turned over to me and then delivered to Senator Revilla in his house in Cavite.”
Binay was also named in the affidavit. Bernardo claimed that in 2024, her aide Carleen Villa called him to ask for a 15% commission.
“I relayed the 15% commitment to Engr. Alcantara,” he said. “Engr. Alcantara collected the 15% commitment, or about ₱37 million, which was turned over to me and which I then delivered to Senator Binay at a house in Quezon City.”
On Co, Bernardo claimed Alcantara informed him the lawmaker was demanding a 25% cut.
“Engr. Alcantara told me that Cong. Zaldy Co was asking for a 25% commission and of that amount 2% was to be shared equally between Engr. Alcantara and myself. In his exact words, “Boss, hati na tayo sa 2%,” Bernardo recounted.
Bernardo added: “Engr. Alcantara would tell me every time that he made deliveries of cash to Cong. Zaldy Co in compliance with his commitment.”
Bernardo also implicated Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, a former staff of Revilla and Senator Sonny Angara.
He said Olaivar asked him in 2024 to prepare a ₱2.85-billion project list under unprogrammed appropriations.
“Usec. Olaivar told me that the commitment is 15%. In his words: ‘Boss, kinse ‘yan,’” Bernardo said, adding that the cuts were delivered in Magallanes, Makati, and other places.
Bernardo assured the Senate committee that his statements were based on “personal knowledge and direct interactions” and vowed to cooperate fully under the Witness Protection Program.
“I attest to the truth of the foregoing statements based on my personal knowledge and authentic records,” he said.
