Bernardo’s ex-aide claims ‘suitcases, boxes’ delivered to Estrada, Revilla, Bonoan

MANILA — The ex-aide of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo on Thursday claimed that he made deliveries of suitcases and boxes to suspended Senator Jinggoy Estrada, former Senator Bong Revilla, former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and three others.

Vergel Nino Garcia testified at the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division, which has been conducting hearings on Estrada’s bail petition as he faces a P573-million plunder charge over alleged kickbacks from flood control projects.

Garcia said he delivered 12 boxes intended for Estrada at the Artiaga Building in San Juan City in November 2024 upon the instruction of Bernardo. The former aide was accompanied by Bernardo’s driver, Francisco dela Fuente.

The former aide said they did not take any photos nor videos of the delivery. He also did not see the contents of the boxes.

Garcia recalled that men came out of the building and unloaded the boxes from the vehicle. They brought the boxes into the building, where he saw a glimpse of Estrada wearing a T-shirt, pants, and leather shoes.

After the boxes were lifted inside the building, Garcia said he called Bernardo to report that the delivery was made.

Garcia said he also made deliveries to the following individuals:

• Former Senator Bong Revilla – up to 12 boxes 
• Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan – 15 boxes 
• Former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral – one box and one paper bag 
• Former Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar – eight suitcases and 15 boxes

The witness also said he made a delivery at the Cherry Mobile Building, but he was not aware who the delivery was for.

Garcia previously made the same claim in a hearing of the Sandiganbayan Third Division on the malversation case against Revilla.

Former DPWH-National Capital Region director Gerard Opulencia, who also took the witness stand, said there is a 5 to 10 percent kickback called “pasasalamat” for DPWH officials, on top of the 25 percent “commitment” fees. 

The former official said project costs become bloated to incorporate the fees while ensuring that the infrastructure to be built will not be substandard.

The former DPWH director said he did not ask for a share out of gratitude after he was promoted, but added that he got something from projects that were implemented.

Opulencia said he was not involved in kickback deliveries, but was the one handling the coordination of deliveries.

He said Bernardo asked for P360 million. He then called DPWH engineers Manny Bulusan, Denryl Cortuna, and Arturo Gonzales Jr. to prepare the “commitment” fee. 

Opulencia believes the “commitment” came from private contractors.

At the time, Opulencia said he did not know to whom the “commitment” was for, but later found out that it was for Estrada.

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division will resume its hearing on Nov. 4.