Former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo has committed to return ₱1 billion to the government in connection with alleged kickbacks tied to flood control projects after entering an agreement that places him under the state’s witness protection program.
Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said Bernardo’s commitment forms part of a memorandum of agreement with the government covering cases involving irregularities in flood control works. The amount will be returned to the government over a period of time and turned over to the National Treasury.
Bernardo is among four individuals who signed agreements with the government to become state witnesses in investigations linked to flood control anomalies. The others are former DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara, former DPWH National Capital Region regional director Gerard Opulencia, and private contractor Sally Santos, owner and general manager of SYMS Construction Trading.
“Suffice it to say, from the four of them… more or less close to ₱317 million have already been returned and is now with the National Treasury,” Fadullon said.
Reports cited by prosecutors showed that Alcantara made partial restitutions of ₱110 million and ₱71 million on separate dates, Santos returned ₱5 million and ₱15 million, and Opulencia returned ₱40 million. There were no reports of restitution from Bernardo prior to his current commitment.
Fadullon said the restitution amounts were computed based on the projects each individual was involved in and the benefits they derived. He added that the figures are not final and may change if further investigations establish additional cases or uncover other funds received.
The immunity granted to the four is limited to the cases covered by their agreements with the government. Fadullon said charges may still be filed should future probes determine involvement in other anomalies.
The development comes as the Office of the Ombudsman continues to pursue multiple cases linked to alleged corruption in flood control projects. The Ombudsman has filed graft and non-bailable malversation charges against former senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. and six former DPWH officials over an alleged ghost flood control project in Bulacan involving the release of public funds for work that prosecutors said was never built.
