A high-ranking former official from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has provided damning testimony in court, claiming he personally delivered millions in “commitment fees” to former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. in exchange for infrastructure project allocations.
During a Sandiganbayan bail hearing on Friday, former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo detailed a series of cash deliveries linked to a ₱92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
Bernardo told the court that he personally handed over a total of ₱250 million across two separate visits to Revilla’s residence.
According to his testimony, the first delivery of ₱125 million occurred in 2024, followed by a second ₱125 million payment in March 2025. Bernardo further alleged that an additional ₱250 million was transported to the residence by his aide, Vergel Niño Garcia, in February 2025, though the former senator was reportedly absent during that specific drop-off.
“I have seen the boxes [of commitment fee] delivered,” Bernardo stated. “I myself, with my driver, [was there in the delivery], two times. I was there in first and third deliveries.”
Bernardo described the payoffs as being packed into paper bags and multiple banker’s boxes.
When asked about the logistics of the cash, he asserted that a single box could accommodate ₱20 million.
“It (₱20 million) could easily fit in the box,” he noted.
The witness explained that these payments were part of a “commitment” arrangement made prior to submitting proposed projects to then-Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
Bernardo testified that Revilla was allocated a total of ₱1.5 billion for various government projects, with the alleged kickback or “commitment fee” set at 25 percent.
“May usapan pong commitment bago mag-submit [ng proposed project] kay DPWH Secretary (Manuel) Bonoan. Secretary Bonoan was the one who allocated funds for Senator Revilla,” Bernardo claimed.
When the court pressed for more details on the nature of the demands, Bernardo replied:
“Nasa proponent na po ‘yung kung manghihingi siya.”
Bernardo is currently seeking to serve as a state witness. As part of his agreement with the government, he has committed to returning ₱1 billion; he informed the court that he has already surrendered nearly half of that amount.
While the current hearing centers on the Bulacan flood control project, Bernardo indicated that his dealings involved several other transactions.
Revilla has not yet issued an official statement regarding the specific allegations raised in this latest testimony.