Escudero, Binay dragged into flood control fund controversy
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 10:51 a.m.) — Sen. Chiz Escudero and Makati Mayor and former senator Nancy Binay have been tagged in the flood control corruption mess.
Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo admitted in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Thursday, September 25, that he had a degree of involvement in the anomaly.
In the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Thursday, Bernardo named Escudero and Binay.
"Maynard Ngu and I are close friends and we go years back. He is also a close friend and campaign contributor of Senator Chiz Escudero. Maynard Ngu asked me to submit a list of projects. I personally submitted a list of projects to Maynard Ngu and some of the items therein pertaining to Valenzuela and Marinduque projects were subsequently included in the General Appropriations Act," Bernardo said.
He confirmed that 20% of P800 million, or about P160 million, was delivered to Ngu, which was allegedly meant for Escudero. Ngu is an executive for Cosmic Technologies Inc.
In 2024, a trusted staff member of Binay reached out to Bernardo and asked for a 15% kickback in several projects. The 15% was equal to around P37 million, which was allegedly delivered to Binay in a house in Makati.
Bernardo also accused Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana of requesting a referral to DPWH officials. He referred them to self-confessed bagman and former DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez.
Department of Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, who used to work under former senator Bong Revilla and current Education Secretary Sonny Angara, was also named by Bernardo.
"Sometime in 2024, Usec. Olaivar personally called me for a meeting for Unprogrammed Appropriations. Supposedly for the Office of the Executive Secretary. In the said meeting, he requested me to submit a list of projects," Bernardo said.
Following the meeting, former district engineer Henry Alcantara was asked to prepare projects, which were tagged at P2.85 billion. The amount was subsequently released to the district.
Bernardo gave credence to Alcantara's prior testimony that Revilla and Rep. Zaldy Co were also involved in the flood control mess.
Co allegedly asked Bernardo if Alcantara could be “spoken to properly.” Alcantara then allegedly told Bernardo that they could split a 2% kickback from the budget insertion.
Bernardo petitioned to become a state witness following his revelations.
Justice Secretary Boying Remulla has requested to bring Bernardo to the Department of Justice.
After some debate among senators, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair Sen. Ping Lacson allowed this.
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