MANILA — Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay, and Leyte congressman Martin Romualdez are facing possible criminal cases after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recommended the filing of malversation charges against them in connection with alleged multimillion-peso kickbacks from public works contracts.
The NBI recommendation followed explosive testimonies before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, where former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo confessed to his involvement in anomalous transactions and tagged high-ranking officials as beneficiaries.
Bernardo claimed Escudero received ₱160 million and Binay ₱37 million from DPWH-linked deals.
Bernardo, who later submitted a sworn affidavit to the Department of Justice (DOJ), was immediately placed under escort after his disclosure. Justice Secretary Crispin “Boying” Remulla confirmed the development.
“Wala tayong sisinuhin dito. Lahat ng nakasama, sasama natin,” Remulla said, adding that malversation and indirect bribery are among the charges under consideration.
He explained that the findings remain part of the evidence-gathering process but admitted that plunder could also be on the table.
The DOJ is likewise weighing whether to ask the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for a freeze order on assets tied to the allegations.
The case widened after another witness, Orly Guteza — who claimed he once worked as a security aide for Rep. Zaldy Co — testified that he delivered bags of cash directly to Romualdez.
Bernardo later filed a supplemental affidavit, stating that Escudero personally pressured him during the 2022 confirmation of then-DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, referencing missing streetlight projects in Sorsogon.
He added that Escudero’s brother-in-law handed him a project list, and that businessman Maynard Ngu arranged a private meeting where the senator made his demands explicit.
“While we were drinking wine, [Escudero] told me: ‘Alam ko naman ang galawan niyo diyan sa DPWH, okay naman ako, sabihin mo kay Sec magbaba sa akin,’” Bernardo alleged.
He further claimed that ₱160 million was delivered to Escudero in early 2025, and that the senator later thanked him when they met again in July.
With malversation being a non-bailable offense, the stakes are high for the implicated officials as the DOJ evaluates the NBI’s findings./PN
