Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Article (news)

Sandiganbayan

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — An aide of former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified on Thursday before the Sandiganbayan Third Division that he delivered sealed boxes and luggage to several public figures tagged in the flood control mess.Vergel Niño Garcia testified before the anti-graft court’s hearing on former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s malversation case in connection with the alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.Garcia said he only learned that the boxes and luggage, which were usually picked up from the Diamond Hotel in Manila, contained cash after the flood control controversy surfaced.He said that in February 2025, he delivered 12 boxes to the ancestral home of Revilla, which he referred to as the “White House.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/23/sandiganbayan-blocks-romualdez-s-departure-from-ph-0039">Sandiganbayan blocks Romualdez’s departure from PH </a></div>He added that he had seen Revilla at the residence but did not personally witness the former senator receiving any of the boxes.Garcia alleged that under Bernardo&#x27;s instructions, he also delivered 12 boxes to a building in San Juan for Sen. Jinggoy Estrada in 2024. He said he briefly saw the senator near the entrance as the items were brought inside.He also claimed he delivered a sealed paper bag to Public Works Undersecretary Catalina Cabral at a residence in Tatalon, Quezon City.Garcia said Cabral&#x27;s driver also allegedly received a box at the Quirino Grandstand parking area in 2023, where he also spotted Cabral in person.Cabral <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/3/cabral-s-death-shows-need-to-better-secure-witnesses-testimonies-lawyer-1030">died in December 2025</a> after falling down a ravine in Benguet.In January 2025, Garcia also allegedly brought eight boxes to Horseshoe Village in Quezon City for a recipient he identified as “Carlene Villa,” the alleged close aide of Makati Mayor Nancy Binay.He added that on three occasions in 2024, the driver of Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan allegedly picked up 15 boxes. He said the same driver later collected 20 boxes from the Diamond Hotel, and another 20 boxes from a restaurant along Tomas Morato Avenue in 2025.Garcia further alleged that from 2023 to 2024, former Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar personally received four pieces of luggage at a basement parking area in Rockwell, another four in Magallanes, and 15 boxes near Delta Gate along Airport Road in Parañaque.In the first quarter of 2025, Garcia allegedly delivered six boxes to a building linked to a tech company, where they were received by an unidentified woman.Garcia said he never asked about the contents of the boxes and luggage because Bernardo would become displeased when questioned.Garcia, who worked with Bernardo for two decades, said he was introduced to the former undersecretary through his father.He said Bernardo put him on DPWH’s payroll as a heavy equipment operator despite being ineligible for the job.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/22/sandiganbayan-orders-verification-on-bernardo-s-health-1841">Sandiganbayan orders verification on Bernardo’s health </a></div><div> </div><div>BERNARDO UNABLE TO TESTIFY</div>The court also acked Dr. Warlin Basuel, the Sandiganbayan’s medical officer, to present his findings on Bernardo&#x27;s health.The court&#x27;s Third Division had ordered him to examine Bernardo at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center after prosecutors informed the court on Wednesday that he would be unable to testify in Thursday’s bail hearing.Basuel told the court that his physical exam findings coincides with the diagnosis of Bernardo’s attending physician, who said the former DPWH official is suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis, follicular pharyngitis, and acute bronchitis.“I also noticed his condition has an allergic component so the cough may appear anytime… if his persistent coughing can be controlled, it’s possible he can testify,” said Basuel.He added that there is a possibility that Bernardo’s cough is infectious.Basuel advised the justices to wear a mask if Bernardo proceeds to testify on Friday.Bernardo is the prosecution’s principal witness in establishing Revilla’s alleged involvement in the flood control mess in Bulacan.“To establish that the evidence is strong, we need to present Bernardo. [His absence from the hearing] is a health issue, it cannot be taken against the prosecution,” Deputy Special Prosecutor Omar Sagadal told the court.

An aide of former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified on Thursday before the Sandiganbayan Third Division that he delivered sealed boxes and luggage to several public figures tagged in the flood control mess.

An aide of former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified on Thursday before the Sandiganbayan Third Division that he delivered sealed boxes and luggage to several public figures tagged in the flood control mess.

Bernardo aide testifies to delivering boxes, luggage to Revilla, Estrada

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Bernardo aide testifies to delivering boxes, luggage to Revilla, Estrada

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 23, 2026 02:43 PM PHT

Read More:

Pandi

Bulacan

Flood Control Projects

Sandiganbayan

Roberto Bernardo

Vergel Niño Garcia

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.