Ex-DPWH usec: Can’t recall Romualdez pushing for infra projects

MANILA, Philippines — Former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo on Thursday denied having any dealings with former Speaker Martin Romualdez, telling the Sandiganbayan he could not recall identifying the Leyte lawmaker as a proponent of infrastructure projects in the alleged P7.44-billion kickback scheme.

“There is nothing like that,” Bernardo said under cross-examination by Romualdez’s lawyer Thea Daep during the former speaker’s bail hearing before the Sandiganbayan Third Division.

Asked whether he had referred to Romualdez as a project proponent, Bernardo replied: “As far as I remember, no.”

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READ: Romualdez’s staff, co-accused in P7.4B plunder case, out of country

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He recalled mentioning Romualdez in only one affidavit, in connection with a birthday celebration for a daughter of former Public Works Secretary and now Sen. Mark Villar.

“I remember I stated him in one of my affidavits when [I said] I met him on Mark Villar daughter’s birthday,” Bernardo said.

The defense sought to challenge the prosecution’s evidence against Romualdez, who has denied the accusations. The Sandiganbayan will determine whether the prosecution’s evidence of guilt is strong enough to deny him bail.

READ: Video of alleged suitcases in Romualdez’s Forbes home shown in court

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Bernardo is a government witness in the investigation into alleged kickbacks from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects.

Conscience drove cooperation

Bernardo, a career public works official for about four decades, said his decision to cooperate with the government was partly prompted by the failure of politicians he expected to help him after he testified before the Senate blue ribbon committee.

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He said he initially expected those whose projects he had helped accommodate in the DPWH funding process to assist him after he began disclosing details of the alleged kickback system.

“When I was summoned and could tell the truth, I expect that they don’t want to be affected by what happens so they would help me,” Bernardo said.

“That was what I expected.”

Asked by Daep whether the absence of such assistance contributed to his decision to cooperate, Bernardo answered: “Initially it was.”

He said learning about alleged ghost projects ultimately troubled his conscience.

“But when I heard of the ghost project I was bothered by my conscience,” he said.

“When I learned about ghost projects, I could not bear it anymore because for me, it had to stop,” he added.

Bernardo testified before the Senate blue ribbon committee on Nov. 14, 2025, about alleged dealings involving lawmakers and public works officials. His disclosures later became part of the government’s investigation into alleged irregularities in infrastructure spending.

Kickbacks widespread

During Thursday’s hearing, Bernardo maintained that alleged kickbacks were pervasive across DPWH projects nationwide.

When Associate Justice Karl Miranda, chair of the Third Division, asked whether all DPWH projects had proponents, Bernardo answered yes.

Miranda then asked whether these projects also involved “commitments” and kickbacks.

“Yes,” Bernardo replied, referring to projects nationwide, including flood control infrastructure.

In his judicial affidavit, Bernardo said alleged commitments generally ranged from 10 to 25 percent of project costs, sometimes higher depending on the arrangements involved.

He said he had heard from district engineers that the rate could reach 30 percent, although he was not personally privy to all such arrangements. He traced his earliest recollection of the alleged kickback system to around 2002, when he was a district engineer.

Bernardo also named former Senators Nancy Binay, Grace Poe and Bong Revilla as well as Sen Jinggoy Estrada, in his allegations.

He alleged that Binay sought commitments of 12 to 15 percent. His affidavit attributed P1.8 billion in project allocations to her and cited a 3-percent kickback, equivalent to about P54 million. He also alleged that Poe sought a 20-percent commitment from flood control projects.

Bernardo said lawmakers or their staff approached him for help getting projects included in the DPWH funding list.

“They were the ones approaching me to ask for help,” he said, naming Revilla, Estrada and members of Poe’s staff.

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Binay and Poe have not immediately responded to requests for comment.