Bernardo testifies Estrada asked his help to obtain P1-B ‘leadership fund’

Former DPWH Undersecretary for Operations Roberto Bernardo reads his second supplementary affidavit detailing his knowledge on the alleged anomalous flood control projects involving certain senators and government officials during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing in Pasay City on November 14, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified on Wednesday that Sen. Jinggoy Estrada asked for his help in approaching then-Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan for a P1-billion “leadership fund.”

The leadership fund was an ad hoc allocation to accommodate senators’ priority infrastructure projects in the DPWH’s proposed budget.

Bernardo made the statement during the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division’s bail hearing on Estrada’s plunder case over the alleged flood control kickback scheme.

“He (Estrada) was the one who asked for my help. Humingi siya ng tulong sa akin dahil sabi niya ‘marami akong tutulungan [sa election]’,” Bernardo said.

(He asked for help because, he said, he had many people to help in the elections.)

Bernardo did not specify whom Estrada intended to help in the May 2025 elections.

However, Estrada’s wife, Ma. Presentacion “Precy” Vitug-Ejercito, ran for a House seat under the Balikatan of Filipino Families party-list in the midterm polls.

Bernardo also testified that Estrada received P573 million in commitment fees from infrastructure projects.

The money was delivered in four tranches from the Diamond Hotel in Manila to Estrada’s residence in San Juan, Bernardo said.

The first delivery was in November 2024, followed by a second a month later and a third in February 2025. Bernardo admitted, he was not present during the first three deliveries to Estrada’s residence.

For the fourth delivery in June 2025, Bernardo said he accompanied his driver, whom he identified as “Isko,” in bringing 11 boxes containing P20 million to the residence.

During cross-examination, Bernardo admitted there were no photographs of the transactions.

“As I mentioned earlier, I know that these are all illegal transactions that happened. I did not need to provide documents or evidence for photos,” he said.

He said the vehicles used to transport the cash were bulletproof, and he did not think additional escorts were necessary.

He said “it will not be secured if other people would know” about it.

“Wala naman po akong magagawa kung manakaw ‘yon. Hindi ko naman po mare-report ‘yon,” he added.

(I would not be able to do anything if the money was stolen. I woudn’t be able to report it.)

Bernardo said he first learned of the alleged kickback scheme when he was assigned to a district in Laguna.

He became personally involved after being appointed undersecretary, he said.

“You know this is illegal,” prosecutor Darlene Vivas said during redirect examination.

“Alam ko po noon na. Nanghihingi po sila (lawmakers) at tinutulungan ko lang po,” Bernardo replied.

(I knew even back then. They asked and I just helped them.)

Estrada’s lawyer, Atty. Laurence Arroyo, pointed out that Bernardo did not name the senator in his initial affidavit submitted to the Department of Justice in seeking admission to the Witness Protection Program.

“You were pressured to put the name of Estrada?” Arroyo asked.

Prosecutors objected, saying the question was speculative.

Bernardo said he needed to verify the information with DPWH-NCR Regional Director Gerard Opulencia before implicating Estrada in his supplemental affidavits.

“During that time, I have no confirmation, I have no solid evidence that will prove [Estrada’s involvement]. I have already in [my] mind that he is a proponent [of projects], but I have to confirm [first],” Bernardo said.

“Ang hirap po ipahamak ang kaibigan. Hindi ko po agad magagawa iyon,” he added.

(It is difficult to implicate a friend. I could not do that easily.)

Estrada told reporters in an ambush interview that the former Undersecretary’s testimony was full of inconsistencies.

“Dami niya (Bernardo) pinahamak eh… maliwanag na di siya nagdala ng pera sakin,” Estrada said.

(He implicated many people… it’s clear he hid not bring money to me.)

“I am satisfied with the cross examination of the lawyers. The witness has a lot of inconsistencies,” he added.