By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo told the Sandiganbayan he could not recall identifying former House Speaker Martin Romualdez as a proponent of infrastructure projects linked to an alleged ₱7.44-billion kickback scheme.
Under cross-examination during Romualdez’s bail hearing, Bernardo denied having dealings with the former speaker and said he had mentioned Romualdez in an affidavit only in connection with a birthday celebration for a daughter of former Public Works secretary and now Senator Mark Villar.
“As far as I remember, no,” Bernardo said when asked by Romualdez’s lawyer, Thea Daep, whether he had identified the Leyte lawmaker as a project proponent.
The testimony came as the court weighs whether the prosecution’s evidence against Romualdez is strong enough to deny him bail. Romualdez has denied the accusations.
Bernardo, a government witness with nearly four decades of public works experience, said he initially expected politicians whose projects he had helped accommodate in the DPWH funding process to assist him after he began disclosing alleged irregularities.
He testified that his conscience ultimately troubled him after he learned of alleged ghost projects, prompting him to cooperate with investigators.
Bernardo also maintained that alleged kickbacks were widespread in DPWH projects nationwide, including flood control works. He said supposed commitments generally ranged from 10% to 25% of project costs, with higher rates sometimes reported to him by district engineers.
His broader allegations have implicated several lawmakers, but the claims remain subject to judicial scrutiny and must be assessed on the evidence presented in court.
ia/xf
