MANILA — The Senate’s probe into alleged flood control fund anomalies escalated on Friday after former Public Works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo expanded his list of officials he claims received kickbacks, implicating more sitting and former lawmakers as well as ex-DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
During the latest Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, Bonoan himself read a supplemental affidavit submitted by Bernardo, who asserted that he had facilitated supposed payoff channels benefiting Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Mark Villar, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, former senator Grace Poe, ex–Caloocan representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy, San Jose del Monte City Mayor Rida Robes, and former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.
These fresh disclosures deepened the committee’s scrutiny of a widening alleged corruption network in flood control programs — projects previously flagged for being overpriced, ghosted, or politically brokered.
Bernardo had earlier accused Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, former senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay, and Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co of likewise benefiting from the supposed scheme.
Detailing his accusations against Revilla, Bernardo claimed he compiled a list of projects that carried 25% “commitments,” which he pegged at P125 million. According to him, the supposed delivery was made “in six cardboard boxes and a paper bag — each containing P20 million and P5 million, respectively” at Revilla’s Bacoor residence. He further alleged that Revilla received another P250 million in kickbacks in February.
Bernardo also reiterated his accusations against Binay, saying her staff allegedly accepted a 12% share from certain infrastructure contracts in 2022 and 2023. He claimed further that Bonoan allocated P500 million for Binay under the proposed 2025 national budget.
The DPWH earlier said it is reviewing the reported anomalies, while Malacañang has maintained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “continues to trust” Bonoan amid calls for him to take a leave.
The Senate inquiry continues as lawmakers attempt to determine the full scope of the alleged corruption and the potential accountability of both elected and appointed officials./PN
