The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo on Friday alleged that several high-ranking officials were involved in the preparation, allocation, and manipulation of the National Expenditure Program (NEP), including supposed “commitments” and cash deliveries tied to infrastructure projects across multiple fiscal years.
In his Second Supplemental Affidavit submitted to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Bernardo named Department of Education undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, former DPWH secretaries and now Senator Mark Villar and Manuel Bonoan, and former DPWH undersecretary for Planning Maria Catalina Cabral.
Bernardo said he first worked with Olaivar in 2010, when Olaivar was still a staff member of then-senator Ramon Revilla Jr., and later under Senators Edgardo and Sonny Angara.
He alleged that between 2019 and 2024, Olaivar received deliveries representing 12 percent of certain projects when Sonny Angara was chair of the Senate Finance Committee. Bernardo also claimed discussions with Olaivar involved a Special Allotment Release Order for projects worth ₱2.85 billion intended for Central Luzon and Bulacan, while additional allocations under the 2025 Unprogrammed Appropriations were still being verified.
Regarding Villar and Cabral, Bernardo alleged that while serving as Assistant Secretary for Operations starting in 2016, he was instructed by Cabral, with Villar’s approval, to prepare detailed project lists, including major road and EDSA maintenance allocations, and submit lump-sum funding proposals. He claimed commissions for approved projects were divided 50 percent for Carlo Aguilar, identified as Villar’s cousin; 25 percent for Cabral; and 25 percent for himself.
Bernardo said that when he became undersecretary for operations in 2018, Cabral continued to control planning, directing project inclusions, modifications, and deletions in the NEP. He alleged that personally delivering cash to Cabral at her residence in Quezon City was tied to project allocations.
On his dealings with Bonoan, Bernardo described a long professional relationship, claiming that he was entrusted with operational work and budget coordination. He alleged that Bonoan instructed him to submit project lists for the NEP covering ₱450 million for 2023, ₱150 million for 2024, and ₱900 million for 2025. Bernardo said these lists were forwarded to Cabral, who facilitated their inclusion in the NEP.
He also claimed that dismissed DPWH District Engineer Henry Alcantara handled differing “commitment” percentages from projects, with Bonoan allegedly receiving a share. Bernardo alleged that projects managed for Bonoan from 2023 to 2025 were valued at at least ₱5 billion annually, with an average commitment of 15 percent, while Cabral controlled her own allocations alongside Bonoan’s preferred projects. He said he was often instructed by Bonoan to coordinate with legislators on funding concerns and relay matters to Cabral for action.
Secretary Sonny Angara, meanwhile, denied Bernardo’s allegations, asserting that he has never been involved in corruption during his 21 years of public service. “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,” Angara said in a statement.