MANILA, Philippines — Senator Jinggoy Estrada raised doubts regarding the integrity of former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, pointing out numerous contradictions in the witness’s statements during a court appearance concerning a plunder case involving alleged multi-million-peso kickbacks.
Making his first physical appearance at the Sandiganbayan bail hearing while using crutches, Estrada listened as Bernardo detailed a series of alleged money deliveries made between late 2024 and mid-2025.
According to Bernardo, the alleged payoffs took place in November and December 2024, followed by additional instances in February and June 2025. The witness stated that the first three transactions involved cash-filled boxes transported via van to a Manila hotel’s basement.
Bernardo admitted he was absent during those initial three drops, relying instead on his driver, whom he named as “Isko,” while claiming he personally witnessed the final handover at a San Juan property. He also noted that he and Estrada communicated verbally over the phone rather than through text messages.
During cross-examination, defense counsels pressed Bernardo on why Estrada was omitted from his initial two affidavits. The prosecution raised objections when the defense probed whether the senator was only implicated after the witness joined the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program.
Defending his timeline, Bernardo explained that he initially lacked concrete verification and supporting evidence, noting the personal difficulty of leveling accusations against an acquaintance.
Estrada strongly rejected the allegations following the proceedings.
“Ang dami niyang pinahamak, eh,” the senator remarked regarding the witness, adding later, “As much as possible, ayaw kong magkaroon ng kaaway.”
Further testimony from Bernardo indicated that he and former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan occasionally visited Estrada’s office, a claim that conflicted with Bonoan’s previous statement that only Bernardo and Estrada deliberated on agency fund distributions.
Furthermore, Bernardo alleged that Bonoan allocated ₱1 billion in Senate leadership funds to Estrada, and dismissed an affidavit from former DPWH-NCR director Gerard Opulencia, which denied passing commitment fees for the senator.
Expressing confidence in his legal team’s cross-examination strategy, Estrada criticized Bernardo for presenting unreliable and inconsistent details before leaving the hearing prematurely to return to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas.