Ex-DPWH exec exposes project ‘parking fees’

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified Thursday that lawmakers received “parking fees” of 3 to 5 percent for allowing infrastructure projects to be placed in congressional districts other than those originally allocated.

Bernardo made the disclosure during the bail hearing of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez before the Sandiganbayan Third Division, where he also described widespread kickbacks in infrastructure projects.

He said the practice arose when lawmakers could not use their budgetary “allocables,” which were separate from leadership funds provided to senators and congressmen.

Bernardo, a state witness under the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program, said his conscience prompted him to testify after learning about alleged ghost projects uncovered during the flood control scandal, particularly in Bulacan.

He claimed that every DPWH project had a proponent who received a kickback, with percentages depending on the deal. He cited alleged shares of 12 to 15 percent for former Senator Nancy Binay and 18 to 25 percent for Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, adding that some lawmakers reportedly received as much as 30 percent.

However, Bernardo said he had no personal knowledge of Romualdez’s alleged involvement, testifying that the former Speaker had never approached him for a list of funded projects.

Romualdez faces a plunder case over alleged ill-gotten wealth of P7.4 billion from infrastructure projects between 2022 and 2025. The hearing resumes on 9 November.

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation confirmed receiving a sworn statement from a man identifying himself as “Chris,” who claimed to have served as former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco’s driver from 2020 to 2022 and delivered cash to Vice President Sara Duterte on Velasco’s instructions.

The affidavit adds to allegations by former Velasco security aide Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. that he delivered money to members of the Duterte family.

The NBI is investigating the claims and has submitted initial findings on Duterte’s properties to the Office of the Ombudsman.