Former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo shocked the Senate on Thursday by naming Sen. Chiz Escudero and ex-senators Bong Revilla and Nancy Binay in an alleged flood control kickback scheme.
He said the money came from questionable government projects worth hundreds of millions of pesos.
This was his first testimony as a witness in the ongoing probe.
Bernardo alleged he personally delivered ₱160 million — 20% of project funds — to businessman and Escudero’s campaign donor Maynard Ngu, supposedly on the senator’s behalf.
He also said Revilla agreed to a 25% cut of projects, amounting to ₱125 million, which Bernardo claimed he delivered to the senator’s Cavite residence.
In Binay’s case, her staff allegedly sought a 15% share, totaling ₱37 million.
According to Bernardo, these transactions were arranged through trusted associates and carried out in cash. He described personally handing over envelopes of money in Manila and Cavite.
The revelations add weight to corruption allegations already surrounding public works projects, raising questions about accountability in government spending.