Former DPWH Undersecretary Implicates Lawmakers, Ex-Senators in Multi-Billion Kickback Scheme

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo has implicated current and former lawmakers in alleged kickback schemes tied to flood control projects, renewing public scrutiny of government infrastructure spending. In a sworn affidavit to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Bernardo claimed that out of a ₱2.85 billion project list he prepared, around 15 percent was earmarked for illicit commissions.

Bernardo alleged that several high-ranking politicians benefited from the scheme, including House Representative Martin Romualdez, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senator Francis Escudero. He claimed that payments were coursed through intermediaries and coded channels, even citing deliveries made to Romualdez’s residence through individuals identified only as “Alias Paul” and “Alias Mark.”

Romualdez quickly denied the accusations, branding them as politically motivated and fabricated. He clarified that the house cited as a supposed drop-off point had been under renovation and unoccupied since early 2024. The House leader vowed to face any legitimate investigation to clear his name, while Zubiri and Escudero likewise denied any wrongdoing, urging due process to prevail.

The controversy widened after Bernardo also named Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar as among those who allegedly received kickbacks from DPWH projects. Olaivar denied the claims, declared he welcomed a full investigation, and voluntarily took a temporary leave of absence to ensure a fair inquiry.

The allegations have once again placed the flood control project controversy under the spotlight, with longstanding issues of ghost projects, contractor favoritism, and misuse of public funds resurfacing. While Malacañang has yet to issue an official response, pressure is mounting on agencies such as the Office of the Executive Secretary to address possible irregularities in project allocations and oversight.

As both Senate and House inquiries move forward, investigators are expected to determine whether Bernardo’s claims can be substantiated with hard evidence. The widening scandal has now cast key lawmakers and government officials under intense public scrutiny, raising deeper questions about accountability, integrity, and transparency in infrastructure governance.