Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson said former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo should return at least ₱1 billion to the government as he seeks to become a state witness in the multi-billion peso flood control scam.
Lacson, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said this amount is based on Bernardo’s alleged involvement in the scheme during his time as a senior DPWH official.
“Yeah, I believe so. Based on my personal information ng participation niya, dapat hindi siya bababa ng restitution in the amount of ₱1 billion,” Lacson told reporters.
According to the senator, Bernardo has applied for coverage under the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).
“Well, mag-a-apply siya sa Witness Protection Program. (Kung) sa assessment ng DOJ ng Witness Protection Program kailangan magsauli siya ng ganoon, mag-uusap sila,” Lacson added.
During the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on November 14, Bernardo admitted receiving kickbacks from billions worth of DPWH projects he oversaw. He also confessed to personally delivering kickbacks to lawmakers who helped secure funding for several projects, including Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Senator Chiz Escudero.