Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<div><iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XKNVP-gcn78" title="LIVE: Senate Blue Ribbon Committee resumes hearing on anomalous flood control projects | Sept 25" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>MANILA (UPDATED) — The National Bureau of Investigation recommended Thursday the filing of malversation and indirect bribery complaints against individuals implicated in the flood control mess by former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Bernardo swore to his affidavit during his four-hour stay at the Department of Justice before he was brought back to the Senate.“It is sworn to already, but we will furnish it immediately to the Senate so that the fear of the other senators will not matter, kasi nga we are doing this at the same time,” Remulla said.Before coming to the DOJ, Bernardo tagged Sen. Francis Escudero, Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, and former senators Bong Revilla and Nancy Binay in an alleged kickback scheme for flood control projects.“Lahat ng binanggit yes,” Remulla said.Remulla said the affidavit of Bernardo would be subjected to a vetting process at the Senate.“After evaluating everything and the supplemental affidavit that they just drew up with his lawyers, the NBI already recommended, but of course nobody has seen that affidavit, we will let the Senate vet it first,” Remulla said.According to Remulla, a freeze order and immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) have also been requested.“Wala tayong sisinuhin dito lahat ng nakasama, isasama natin,” Remulla said after leaving the Senate session hall. Asked if a freeze order will be issued on the assets of former House Speaker Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez who has also been named by other resource persons, Remulla replied, “I-evaluate pa rin namin ulit yung statements pero ang tingin ko talaga para ma-preserve lang lahat, we will have to work on that angle already.”Escudero, Romualdez, Binay, Revilla, and Olaivar have denied the accusations.<div>SYSTEMIC CORRUPTION</div>Bernardo also explained how the corruption happens, which allegedly starts with the National Expenditure Program (NEP).“Minsan may mga lumalapit sa aming mga district engineer, mga nag-o-offer po ng listahan, humihingi po ng listahan pagkaraan po noon ay ipapasok nila sa NEP,” Bernardo stated.“Ang mga congressman naman po ang alam ko’y mga kausap ng mga district engineer dito meron din pong taga ibang lugar na nagbababa po sa iba-ibang distrito,” Bernardo added. “Minsan po lumalaki po sa HGAB yung pondo.” The HGAB is the House General Appropriations Bill.<div>CO IN SPAIN?</div>Meanwhile, Remulla said reports that Co was in Spain were being validated.“There was a boarding pass, there were flight details sent to us, but we have to validate,” Remulla said.He said Co was included in an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order, stemming from the request of DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.“Meron siyang ILBO,” Remulla said.<div>WPP</div>The DOJ clarified that Bernardo, former DPWH engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, as well as contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya were “provisionally accepted” to the Witness Protection Program.The DOJ said that during the provisional period, they are considered “protected witnesses”.The assistance given to the six individuals, who are currently testifying before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the multi-million peso flood control projects controversy, is limited to security and escort.“Iyong provisional, means they are not yet state witnesses if they will be, but it is our duty to protect them because witnesses who will testify in a criminal prosecution for the government against the persons who violated the law need protection,” Remulla said.

The National Bureau of Investigation recommended Thursday the filing of malversation and indirect bribery complaints against individuals implicated in the flood control mess by former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

The National Bureau of Investigation recommended Thursday the filing of malversation and indirect bribery complaints against individuals implicated in the flood control mess by former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

Malversation, indirect bribery charges eyed over ex-DPWH exec’s kickback allegations

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Malversation, indirect bribery charges eyed over ex-DPWH exec’s kickback allegations

Adrian Ayalin,

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 25, 2025 03:52 PM PHT

|

Updated Sep 25, 2025 09:22 PM PHT

Read More:

ABSNews

DPWH

corruption

flood control

baha

Senate

Senate Blue Ribbon

Roberto Bernardo

Chiz Escudero

Zaldy Co

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