Ex-DPWH official tags Escudero, Binay in alleged flood control kickbacks

Metro Manila, Philippines - A former undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has implicated Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and former senator now Makati Mayor Nancy Binay in supposed flood control project kickbacks — adding their names to a growing list of lawmakers accused of pocketing public funds.

Roberto Bernardo, who resigned as DPWH undersecretary amid the corruption scandal, made the revelations at the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on anomalous flood control projects on Thursday, Sept. 25.

In a sworn affidavit read during the hearing, Bernardo said he personally delivered ₱160 million to Maynard Ngu — a close friend and campaign contributor of Escudero — stating the money was intended for the senator.

Bernardo recounted that Ngu, who was also a personal friend, had requested a list of government infrastructure projects. Bernardo said he submitted flood control and infrastructure projects in Valenzuela and Marinduque, which were later allocated funds in the General Appropriations Act.

“When I gave him the list and in relation to the commitment, I asked him: ‘Boss, paano to?’ Maynard replied: ‘Bahala ka na.’ I asked: ‘Boss, okay na ba ang 20%’? Maynard said: “Okay,’” Bernardo recalled.

“Deliveries of cash were personally made by me to Maynard Ngu at his office in Manila,” he added.

Escudero, who was ousted as Senate president after revelations that he received campaign donations from a government contractor, strongly denied the allegations. He dismissed them as a diversion tactic to shift focus away from Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, then House appropriations committee chair, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“Puro talaga senador ang tinuturo?! Nasaan si Zaldy Co? Nasaan na si Rep. Martin Romualdez sa lahat ng ito,” he said in a statement sent to the media.

[Translation: The senator always takes the blame?! Where is Zaldy Co? Where is Rep. Martin Romualdez in all these?]

“Maging ganun pa man, haharapin at lalabanan ko ito at maghahain ng karampatang demanda laban kay Usec. Bernardo sa mga binitiwan nyang walang saysay at basehan na paratang,” he added.

[Translation: Nonetheless, I will face and counter this, and file an appropriate complaint against Usec. Bernardo for his senseless and baseless accusation.]

₱37M allegedly delivered to Binay

Meanwhile, Bernardo also testified that he delivered ₱37 million to then-Senator Binay at a residence in Quezon City - supposedly representing 15% of the value of three flood control projects in Bulacan under the current national budget.

“Sometime in the year 2024, Carleen Villa, a staff and trusted confidante of Senator Binay, called me and asked for a commitment which was set at 15% of the total amount of the projects,” Bernardo recalled.

He said he relayed the request to then DPWH-Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara, who allegedly collected the money and turned it over to him for delivery.

Binay, now mayor of Makati, expressed shock and dismay at the allegations, which she categorically denied.

“Walang katotohanan ang mga bintang sa akin,” she said.

[Translation: The accusations are false.]

“Nakakagulat na nagagamit tayo para ipanglihis sa mga tunay na kailangan panagutin sa issue na ito,” she added, echoing Escudero’s sentiment.

[It’s surprising that we have been used to shifting the focus from those that need to be accountable on this issue.]

Other accusations

In the same affidavit, Bernardo accused Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar of facilitating ₱2.85 billion worth of budget insertions for projects, allegedly with a 15% kickback - equivalent to ₱427.5 million.

In a statement, Olaivar denied his supposed involvement in anomalous flood control deals.

"To allow a fair inquiry, I will voluntarily take a leave of absence from my post and am ready to fully cooperate with any and all proceedings," he said.

Bernardo also corroborated earlier claims by Alcantara that identified other personalities allegedly involved in the flood control fund scam:

+ Rep. Zaldy Co — Bernardo said Alcantara handled the cash deliveries. Alcantara previously alleged that Co inserted over ₱35.024 billion in infrastructure funds over the past four years, with kickbacks ranging from 20% to 30%.

+ Former Senator Bong Revilla — Bernardo said he personally delivered ₱125 million to Revilla’s residence in Cavite. Alcantara had earlier pegged the amount at ₱90 million.

+ Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana — Bernardo said he referred Lipana to the DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office but claimed he had no knowledge of any resulting transactions.

Co and Revilla have denied the allegations.

A COA officer told the blue ribbon that Lipana is on medical leave in Singapore.