NBI seeks malversation raps on Escudero, Binay, Romualdez
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 6:54 p.m.) — The National Bureau of Investigation has recommended the filing of malversation charges against Sen. Chiz Escudero, Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez over alleged kickbacks in public works projects.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo told a Senate hearing earlier on Thursday, September 25 that Escudero received P160 million and Binay P37 million in alleged payoffs.
After making these accusations during the Senate hearing, Bernardo was immediately taken to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to submit his affidavit.
Justice Secretary Crispin "Boying" Remulla later confirmed in an ambush interview the NBI's recommendations, saying indirect bribery and malversation charges against those Bernardo named were being pursued.
However, Remulla explained that these are merely recommendations as the NBI is at the case build-up stage.
“Wala tayong sisinuhin dito. Lahat ng nakasama, sasama natin,” Remulla said. (We will not play favorites. Everyone who is involved, we will include them.)
Plunder is also a possible case, but most possible charges are already covered by malversation, Remulla said.
During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, another witness was brought into the fray. Rep. Zaldo Co's former security aide, Orly Guteza, alleged that he delivered bags of cash to Romualdez.
Remulla said the DOJ is evaluating all the statements, but is open to requesting a freeze order from the Anti-Money Laundering Council to seize the assets of the aforementioned lawmakers and politicians.
Malversation is a non-bailable offense.
Bernardo doubled down on his accusations against Escudero in a supplemental affidavit, saying he met the senator in person. He alleged that during the confirmation appointment of former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan in 2022, Escudero summoned and told him that he was missing streetlights in his bailiwick of Sorsogon. Bernardo relayed this to Bonoan.
The former DPWH official said that Escudero's brother-in-law handed him a list of projects, including the streetlight projects.
Maynard Ngu, a businessman and Escudero's campaign donor, allegedly arranged a meeting between the senator and Bernardo.
"While we were drinking wine, [Escudero] told me: 'Alam ko naman ang galawan niyo diyan sa DPWH, okay naman ako, sabihin mo kay Sec magbaba sa akin'," Bernardo said.
(While we were drinking wine, [Escudero] told me: 'I know how you do things in the DPWH, tell Sec to bring some to me.)
The alleged delivery of P160 million to Escudero happened sometime in the first quarter of 2025.
Escudero and Bernardo allegedly had another chance encounter last July, wherein the senator thanked the former DPWH official.
The senator has denied Bernardo's claims, saying that he will prove that he is now involved in the corruption mess.
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