Metro Manila, Philippines – A former aide to ex-Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified that he delivered boxes and suitcases to several government officials, including suspended Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, during the Sandiganbayan’s hearings on the senator’s bail petition in a ₱573-million plunder case.
Vergel Niño Garcia told the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division that he delivered 12 boxes to the Artiaga Building in San Juan City in Nov. 2024, following Bernardo’s instructions. He claimed that he briefly saw Estrada inside the building but did not know what the boxes contained. No photos or videos were taken during the delivery.
Garcia also recalled delivering up to 12 boxes to former senator Bong Revilla, 15 boxes to former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and one box and a paper bag to the late former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.
He further testified that he delivered eight suitcases and 15 boxes to former Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar. He also made a delivery to a Cherry Mobile Building but did not know who was supposed to receive it.
Separately, former DPWH-National Capital Region Director Gerard Opulencia testified that infrastructure projects allegedly carried additional kickbacks of 5% to 10%, called “pasasalamat,” on top of the 25% “commitment” fees.
Opulencia said project costs were allegedly increased to cover these payments while ensuring that the infrastructure would not be substandard.
He testified that Bernardo asked him to arrange ₱360 million in commitment fees, prompting him to coordinate with DPWH engineers Manny Bulusan, Denryl Cortuna, and Arturo Gonzales Jr.
Opulencia said he initially did not know who would receive the money but later learned that it was intended for Estrada. He also maintained that he did not personally handle the delivery of kickbacks.
The testimony echoes Bernardo’s account before the same court on Wednesday that ₱360 million of the ₱573 million in alleged commitment fees received by Estrada came from Metro Manila projects under Opulencia.
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division is scheduled to resume the bail hearing on Nov. 4.
