I. Introduction: A Profound Break of Trust
The investigation into the massive flood control scandal continues to expose deep-seated corruption within the Philippines’ Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on Friday witnessed an emotional and defining moment when former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo delivered supplemental testimony, directly implicating his former superior, ex-DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
The sight of Bernardo—a long-time colleague of Bonoan—breaking down while reading his sworn affidavit underscored the personal toll of exposing corruption. Bernardo described Bonoan as a figure he deeply admired, a mentor, and a friend. This personal context lends a weighty, tragic dimension to the serious allegations of systemic malfeasance in the allocation of the national infrastructure budget.
II. The Core Allegations: Systemic Budget Manipulation
Bernardo’s testimony provided granular details about a sophisticated scheme allegedly used by top DPWH officials to manipulate and control substantial portions of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) intended for infrastructure projects. The scheme purportedly operated annually, effectively diverting public funds to favored projects.
A. The Reserved Allocation Scheme
Bernardo specifically named DPWH Undersecretary Cathy Cabral as the central figure orchestrating the budget ceiling apportionment for the DPWH’s allocable NEP. While Cabral would present a façade of full allocation, Bernardo asserted that she habitually reserved a significant percentage of the funds for projects preferred by herself and Secretary Bonoan.
Bernardo detailed his personal involvement in this scheme, acting at the behest of his former mentor:
“Sec. Manny Bonoan would, from time to time, ask me to take charge of part of his own reserved allocations.”
B. The Scale of the Alleged Corruption
The figures cited by Bernardo are staggering, underscoring the potential magnitude of public funds allegedly misused. He stated that the total value of the projects he managed specifically under Bonoan’s direction amounted to at least PHP 5 billion per annum for the years 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Central to the allegations is the concept of a “commitment”—a euphemism for the percentage kickback or illegal cut expected from the project’s total value. Bernardo testified that the average commitment on these projects was 15 percent. This illicit fee was then allegedly divided among the conspirators:
“Of this 15 percent average commitment, Sec. Bonoan (75 percent) usually would give me 25 percent of the commitment, with the rest of the commitment shared between him and Usec. Cabral.”
This testimony suggests a clear, established formula for the illegal distribution of funds, with Secretary Bonoan allegedly receiving the largest share (75%) of the commitment generated from his specific allocations.
III. The Control Mechanisms: Usec. Cabral as the Gatekeeper
Beyond the annual scheme, Bernardo’s testimony established Undersecretary Cabral as the long-term, high-level gatekeeper controlling the entire infrastructure budget at the DPWH level, with clear authorization from successive DPWH secretaries.
A. Total Authority over the NEP
Bernardo emphasized that, with very few exceptions, Usec. Cabral held the ultimate control—with the imprimatur (official sanction) first of former DPWH Secretary Mark Villar and later continued by Bonoan—to unilaterally “remove, include, add, deduct or modify insertions of items” within the NEP pertaining to DPWH infrastructure.
This level of centralized, unchecked power over the NEP allowed Cabral to allegedly broker deals directly with lawmakers:
“Usec. Cabral would tell me that she would communicate and meet legislators to inform them of the amount of their allocations and ask them for titles of projects that they want to include in the DPWH budget.”
Bernardo’s assertion that Cabral possessed “total influence and authority” in preparing and finalizing the NEP for infrastructure paints a picture of systemic, high-level control that effectively bypassed standard checks and balances.
B. Direct Evidence of Payoffs
Further cementing the gravity of the accusations, Bernardo provided explicit details regarding the alleged transfer of illicit funds. He testified that he “personally delivered and also caused to be delivered cash to Usec. Cabral” at her residence in Tatalon, Quezon City, and other designated locations. This direct admission of delivering cash payoffs strengthens the evidentiary weight of his testimony, transforming abstract figures into tangible acts of corruption.
IV. Conclusion: A Call for Accountability
The testimony delivered by Roberto Bernardo before the Senate blue ribbon committee represents a critical juncture in the flood control scandal investigation. It is a powerful narrative of a trusted official compelled to expose deeply entrenched corruption that victimizes the Filipino public.
The core implication is that the manipulation of the national budget—specifically the life-saving flood control and infrastructure funds—was not isolated but was allegedly a systemic, organized practice involving the very top officials of the DPWH across multiple years and administrations.
As the Senate proceeds with its investigation, the focus will now turn to the named individuals—Secretary Bonoan and Undersecretary Cabral—to answer these grave charges. Bernardo’s emotional testimony, born from personal conflict and moral responsibility, stands as a demand for full accountability in the pursuit of justice for the misused public treasury.
