Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) - Former public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo on Friday told the anti-graft court he made three cash deliveries worth P500 million for ex-Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.Bernerdo claimed Revilla asked for a cut from infrastructure funds, including those for alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.Bernardo gave his testimony on Friday during the Sandiganbayan Third Division’s bail hearing of Revilla’s malversation case.He claimed he personally made the first delivery of six boxes and one paper bag containing P125 million on Dec. 2024 as part of Revilla’s alleged “commitment” for projects under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA). Bernardo was supposedly accompanied by his driver, Francisco Dela Fuente.He added that on Feb. 2025, his aide, Vergel Niño Garcia, made the delivery of 13 boxes with P250 million. He stated in his judicial affidavit that this was before the election campaign period started.Garcia earlier claimed he briefly saw Revilla at his ancestral home, which he referred to as the “White House.” However, he reportedly did not witness the former senator personally receiving the boxes.Bernardo said he instructed his aides to buy the heavy duty boxes, which contained bundles of P1,000.<div>REVILLA ALLEGEDLY ASKED FOR 25% ‘COMMITMENT’</div>Bernardo alleged Revilla asked for a 25% &quot;commitment&quot; or cut from infrastructure projects, including the flood control project which is the subject of the case.“Tinanong niya (Revilla) ako kung ano commitment. Sinabi ko 20% or 25%… sabi niya 25%… nasa proponent na po yun kung manghihingi siya ng commitment,” Bernardo told the court.Upon being asked by the court who the “pasimuno” or initiator was for the flood control mess in Pandi, Bulacan, Bernardo answered it was Revilla who asked for a meeting with him in the first place.“Siya [Revilla] po ang humingi ng meeting… siya po ang pasimuno,” he said. He said that during his alleged meeting with Revilla, the former Senator would ask him to communicate to DPWH Sec. Manuel Bonoan and the late DPWH Usec. Catalina Cabral that the Pandi, Bulacan project be included in the 2025 GAA.“Sinabi niya po sa akin na tulungan ko siya kay Sec. Bonoan para magkaron siya ng allocation… [sabi ko] sir I will,” Bernardo said.He added that he also met with Revilla in 2023 to discuss projects to be allocated for the 2024 GAA. Bernardo said he discussed Revilla’s request with Bonoan after the meeting. “Bonoan informed me that legislators like Revilla are expecting that [commitments] because they are influential in passing the budget,” Bernardo said.Revilla chaired the Senate Committee on Public Works in the 19th Congress.Bonoan reportedly told Bernardo that in order to help Revilla, the former senator needed to submit a list of infrastructure projects to be funded.“Sabi niya [Bonoan] merong senators na binibigyan ng 300-500 million. [sabi niya] pagsubmitin siya [Revilla] ng listahan at tutulungan natin,” he said.Bernardo said that upon relaying this to Revilla, the former senator told him to “take care” of the list instead.“Sinabihan po ako ni Sen Revilla na ikaw na gumawa pare (ng list)… considering na ako ang tutulong [sa kanya] kay Bonoan,” Bernardo said.He said he submitted the list of projects he prepared for Revilla to Bonoan, who allegedly told him he would “facilitate” their inclusion and that he had already given the list to Cabral.Bernardo said Cabral had a major say as to what projects were to be funded because she was tasked to prepare the list of DPWH projects to be signed by Bonoan and submitted for deliberation by Congress.After the projects were reflected in the GAA, Bernardo said he informed Revilla by phone, during which the latter followed up on his commitment.<div>BERNARDO ADMITS ROLE IN CORRUPTION</div>Associate Justice Karl Miranda asked Bernardo if he admits to being part of the alleged corruption in the flood control project subject of the case.Bernardo replied, “Kasama po, dahil ako tumulong sa proponent… nagsisisi na rin po ako dito kasi naging part [ako] of the system.”He said that when the flood control controversy surfaced, he initially chose to remain silent, believing that the people he had “helped” would, in turn, keep him from being implicated.“Nung nabalitaan ko yung mga unang pangyayari na yan inisip ko na manahimik na lang. Inisip ko na baka yung tinulungan ko ay tutulungan ako pag ako na ang nagkaproblema… sinasabi ko, baka matatakot din sila na madamay sa sitwasyon, kasi involved sila at ginamit nila ako,” Bernardo said.Revilla’s lawyer however points out there is still no concrete proof to tie the former lawmaker to the corruption claims. “Saan naman kayo nakakita walang ebidensya maliban sa sabi-sabi? Walang message man lang, walang video, walang anything,” Balisi told reporters after the hearing.“At ano ang sinasabi niyang corroborating evidence niya? Walang iba kundi yung sinasabi ng kanyang mga alagad o mga alalay, yung kanyang driver, yung kanyang personal aide, na nagtestify mismo na wag suwayin ang kanyang utos,” he added.On May 6, the court is set to issue its resolution on the bail petitions of the former senator and his co-accused.<div> </div><div><a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/23/bernardo-aide-testifies-to-delivering-boxes-luggage-to-revilla-estrada-1443">READ: Bernardo aide testifies to delivering boxes, luggage to Revilla, Estrada</a></div><div> </div><div>BONOAN DENIES ALLEGED DELIVERY</div>Meanwhile, Bonoan denied he was a recipient of alleged deliveries made by Bernardo’s aide, Vergel Niño Garcia. “Garcia made uncorroborated statements against me regarding the alleged delivery of 55 boxes intended for me… I categorically and vehemently deny and have no knowledge whatsoever regarding these vague and unfounded allegations,” Bonoan said in a statement. Garcia previously testified that on three occasions in 2024, Bonoan’s driver allegedly picked up 15 boxes. He said the same driver also collected 20 boxes from the Diamond Hotel, and another 20 boxes from a restaurant along Tomas Morato Avenue in 2025.Bonoan said Garcia’s statements were “mere hearsay” intended to taint his reputation.The former public works secretary said he already instructed his counsel to file appropriate criminal charges against Garcia for his testimony.

Department of Public Works and Highways Usec. Roberto Bernardo testified to making three cash deliveries worth P500 million for ex-Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

Department of Public Works and Highways Usec. Roberto Bernardo testified to making three cash deliveries worth P500 million for ex-Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

Bernardo testifies delivering P500 million to Revilla

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Bernardo testifies delivering P500 million to Revilla

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 24, 2026 05:36 PM PHT

|

Updated April 24, 2026 10:08 PM PHT

Read More:

flood control scandal

Ramon Revilla Jr.

Bulacan

DPWH

kickback

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.