Former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo has accused several high-ranking officials of involvement in the alleged preparation, allocation, and manipulation of the National Expenditure Program (NEP), including supposed “commitments” and cash deliveries tied to infrastructure projects across multiple years.
In his Second Supplemental Affidavit submitted to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Bernardo detailed alleged dealings with Department of Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, Senator Mark Villar, former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and former DPWH Undersecretary for Planning Maria Catalina Cabral.
Bernardo said he first worked with Olaivar in 2010, describing him as a recurring figure in budget deliberations. He claimed that from 2019 to 2024, Olaivar received deliveries equivalent to 12 percent of certain projects when Secretary Sonny Angara was chair of the Senate Finance Committee. He also recounted talks with Olaivar about a Special Allotment Release Order for the Office of the Executive Secretary involving PHP2.85 billion in projects for Central Luzon and Bulacan, adding that he is still verifying a possible additional PHP12 billion under the 2025 Unprogrammed Appropriations.
Regarding Villar and Cabral, Bernardo said Cabral held significant influence over DPWH budgeting and NEP preparation. He alleged that Cabral, with Villar’s approval, instructed him to prepare detailed project lists and lump-sum funding proposals. He claimed commissions from approved projects were divided as 50 percent for Villar’s cousin Carlo Aguilar, 25 percent for Cabral, and 25 percent for himself. He also said he delivered cash to Cabral at her residence in Quezon City.
Bernardo described a long professional relationship with Bonoan, alleging that the former DPWH chief assigned him to handle project listings for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 NEPs, valued at hundreds of millions each year. He claimed dismissed engineer Henry Alcantara delivered “commitment” percentages ranging from 10 to 20 percent, portions of which were allegedly received by Bonoan. He said projects supposedly handled for Bonoan reached at least PHP5 billion annually, with a 15 percent average commitment split at 75 percent for Bonoan and 25 percent for him and Cabral.
Bernardo also claimed Cabral retained control of planning even after his promotion and continued to determine project inclusions, modifications, and deletions.
He said Bonoan often instructed him to coordinate with legislators about funding concerns and relay matters to Cabral for “action and resolution.”
Education Secretary Sonny Angara denied the allegations, saying: “We reject any insinuation made today that we were involved in anomalous projects. In my 21 years in government we have never been involved in corruption.”
