Bernardo: My P120-M ‘token’ just 1% of Co’s alleged total kickbacks

MANILA, Philippines — The supposed P120 million “token of gratitude” received by state witness and ex-Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo from former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co is just “one percent” of the total amount of alleged kickbacks the former lawmaker received from infrastructure projects nationwide.

Bernardo made this revelation as he took the witness stand before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Wednesday where Co and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials face graft case stemming from an allegedly substandard Oriental Mindoro road dike project worth P289.4 million. 

READ: Bernardo arrives at Sandiganbayan to testify in Zaldy Co’s graft case

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This amount was tackled when Bernardo sought to revise the initial P100 million amount “balato” that is stated in his written judicial affidavit submitted to the court.

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“With my deep recollection, it’s P120 million within three years,” Bernardo said of the alleged “token of gratitude” from Co.

Of this amount, Bernardo said he recalls receiving from Co P45 million in 2023, P50 million in 2024, and P25 million in 2025.

According to Bernardo, this “one percent” figure is part of the alleged “25 percent commitment” allotted for Co in every DPWH project. 

Bernardo said aside from him, Henry Alcantara, a state witness and former district engineer of Bulacan, also received “one percent” from Co as “token of gratitude: stemming from the same “25 percent commitment.”

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The exact amount of this alleged kickback for Co was not mentioned by Bernardo.

Co was also the chairperson of the powerful House committee on appropriations before his resignation as a party-list representative in September last year amid the widespread public outrage on the multibillion flood control corruption scandal. 

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The former lawmaker could not participate in the trial after he flew out of the country and declared by the Sixth Division as a fugitive from justice. 

A respondent declared as a fugitive from justice could no longer participate in the proceedings and could not seek any judicial relief unless they  surrender voluntarily. /jpv