Bernardo’s ex-driver testifies on alleged deliveries to Estrada
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada gets teary-eyed during a press conference at the Senate Building on June 1, 2026, as he announces his surrender in connection with the plunder case filed against him. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File MANILA — The former driver of ex-Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Usec. Roberto Bernardo on Wednesday testified that he delivered boxes to Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on four occasions from November 2024 to June 2025.
Francisco Dela Fuente gave the testimony during the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division’s bail hearing in Estrada’s plunder case over the alleged flood control kickback scheme.
Dela Fuente said he delivered 12 boxes to a building allegedly owned by Estrada in San Juan in November 2024. However, he said he did not see Estrada during the delivery because he was facing away from the building as the boxes were unloaded from the vehicle.
He also testified that he delivered three boxes each in December 2024 and February 2025, followed by 11 boxes in June 2025. He said all four deliveries were made at the same location upon Bernardo’s instructions.
Dela Fuente said different personnel received the boxes during the deliveries. Although he could not identify them, he assumed they were working for Estrada.
During cross-examination, Estrada’s lawyer Laurence Arroyo pointed out that Dela Fuente only mentioned the November 2024 delivery in his sworn statement dated Dec. 26, 2025, which he submitted to the Department of Justice as part of his application to become a state witness.
Arroyo asked why the three other deliveries were only included in Dela Fuente’s judicial affidavit executed in October 2026.
Dela Fuente said he initially had reservations but was able to recall all four instances when investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman questioned him.
Upon being asked why he did not take photographs of the deliveries, Dela Fuente said he did not anticipate that the controversy would escalate and that he initially had no knowledge of the boxes’ contents.
He said he only learned of the issue when the flood control controversy surfaced during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.
“Di ko naman po kasi akalain na magkakaroon ng ganito eh,” Dela Fuente said.
Dela Fuente also took the witness stand during the bail hearing of former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., where he testified delivering boxes to Estrada’s ancestral home, known as the “White House,” in 2025.
Former DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office district engineer Henry Alcantara is scheduled to testify on Friday.