Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, sitting as a prosecution witness before the Sandiganbayan on Thursday, confessed that he accepted “financial benefits” from Bulacan projects linked to resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co.

Upon questioning by a defense lawyer, Bernardo said former House Speaker Martin Romualdez never requested, negotiated, or had financial transactions with him regarding project kickbacks.

The former DPWH official denied that Romualdez was involved in any discussion regarding projects and commissions.

In his six affidavits, Bernardo said there was no mention of Romualdez as a proponent, and that he has no knowledge of a commitment fee scheme in Leyte projects.

It has been customary practice since 2002, when Bernardo assumed the position of district engineer in Manila, that commissions would take 10-20 percent—sometimes even up to 30 percent, the former official disclosed.

This means the commission practice was long established— at least two decades—before Romualdez assumed leadership of the House in July 2022.

Bernardo further clarified before the court that only the DPWH and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) handle the department’s budget and the release of Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs).

The office of the Speaker has no involvement in the bidding process, and former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan had the final approval.

The defense no longer questioned Edrick San Diego, former DPWH Bulacan engineer Henry Alcantara’s driver, as he had no allegations against Romualdez in his affidavit regarding deliveries of boxes of cash to the Diamond Hotel.