Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary and state witness Roberto Bernardo admitted that he expected individuals he previously helped through infrastructure projects to assist him after he became entangled in alleged flood control irregularities, but none of them offered support.
Bernardo made the revelation during a cross-examination led by Atty. Thea Daep, counsel for former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez, on Thursday, October 29. The hearing took place before the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division regarding Romualdez’s petition for bail for a plunder case linked to alleged kickbacks from flood control projects.
When questioned by Daep if he anticipated backing from people he dealt with regarding DPWH works, Bernardo confirmed that he did. He also acknowledged that the assistance he previously extended to them involved supplying project lists in exchange for commitments.
Daep referenced Bernardo’s past testimony before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on November 14, 2025, where he named several prominent figures he transacted with.
The list included former senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Grace Poe, and Nancy Binay; Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Jinggoy Estrada; former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co; former Caloocan City 2nd District Representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy; former San Jose del Monte City Lone District Representative Rida Robes; former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan; and former Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.
Although Bernardo did not directly ask any of them for help, he admitted he expected them to step forward independently out of concern that they might be implicated in his disclosures.
“I was expecting that they don’t want to be mentioned…kung ano man yung sasabihin ko o anuman yung ibubulgar ko. Yun po yung inaasahan kong tulong mula sa kanila,” he said.
When Daep asked if anyone from the group actually offered assistance, Bernardo replied, “wala.”
He acknowledged that this lack of backing was one of the early triggers that prompted him to cooperate with authorities, though he emphasized it was not the only reason.
Bernardo added that discovering alleged ghost projects in Bulacan—an area under his direct supervision—also deeply disturbed him and motivated him to speak out, affirming that coming forward meant telling the truth.
During the proceedings, Sandiganbayan 3rd Division Associate Justice Karl Miranda asked Bernardo if all DPWH projects across the country involved proponents, commitments, and kickbacks, to which the former official answered in the affirmative.
While Bernardo’s judicial affidavit noted that commitments typically ranged from 10 to 25 percent of a project’s cost depending on agreements, he told Justice Miranda that he had heard of kickbacks reaching 30 percent, though he clarified he had no personal knowledge of such instances.