A retired official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) turned emotional when he testified before the Senate’s investigation on the anomalies surrounding the government’s flood control project, implicating former and incumbent lawmakers, DPWH officials and other personalities in the mess. (Video courtesy of Senate of the Philippines)
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2025/11/15/afp-chief-urges-inc-to-police-their-own-ranks-during-3-day-protest
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READ: https://mb.com.ph/2025/11/15/afp-chief-urges-inc-to-police-their-own-ranks-during-3-day-protest
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NewsTranscript
00:00Second Supplemental Affidavit
00:01I, Roberto R. Bernardo, Filipino, of legal age, and a resident of Palolo City, Bulacan, under oath, hereby deposed and state.
00:11I am submitting this second supplemental affidavit consisted with my desire to set forth my knowledge about the irregularities in government flood control and other infrastructure projects, as well as to obtain peace of mind and preserve the truth.
00:23Among other factors, the contest of this second supplemental affidavit had to be violated by me by making reference to an assortment of personal notes and records, deep thinking, as well as confirming with persons certain details regarding the time, place, manner, and circumstances under which the events narrated here under accord.
00:41Moreover, owing to the passage of time and the fact that I am no longer part of the DPWA following my retirement in August 2025, the process of collecting facts and details and progress is lower than expected, contributing to the delay in the submission of this second supplemental affidavit.
00:58Also, I would like to make clear that while the facts narrated below are based on my direct personal knowledge and fortified by official DPWH records, the kickback scheme pertaining to the collection and handoff of the commitments to the relevant public officers occur practically without any paper trail.
01:17A statement of facts applicable to all.
01:20Over the decades that I worked for the DPWH, it has always been my philosophy to form good working relationships between and among my bosses and or superiors, inferiors and or subordinates, and other colleagues, even without the promise or expectation of reward or personal advantage.
01:38I would rather troubleshoot problems than develop enemies and immediately address all concerns.
01:43I would do this so that I can effectively perform my duties and responsibilities under the DPWH.
01:50Unfortunately, this professional orientation of mine has forced me to compromise situations that include the matters narrated here under.
02:00I reiterate my deep remorse and guilt for what I have done and I am now animated by an honest desire to help rectify the institutional defects in the systems and operations not only of DPWH but also other government agencies and help in developing lasting and meaningful reforms.
02:17I can confirm based on my personal knowledge that in some form or another and on various extents based on current setup, each and every DPWH official employee from top and down the line is buffeted with various avenues of corrupt acts and practices.
02:34This would include high ranking members such as secretary, undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, regional directors, district engineers, bids and awards committee members, engineers, inspectors, and all the way down to laborers.
02:51This is also true for several top officials of other departments and agencies such as but not limited to the Department of Finance, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Transportation,
03:10Deportation, Philippine Charities, Philippine Charities, Philippine Charities, Philippine Coconut Authority, etc.
03:15Moreover, I can confirm based on my personal knowledge that in some form or another and on various extents most proponents have their own designated contractors who will take on the projects for the former's benefit and advantage.
03:29Sometimes, other proponents would request me to suggest contractors for them who are known to me or referred to me by friends and other personalities.
03:39There are situations that national and local elected politicians would request me to source projects for them.
03:46If given more time and opportunity to review the records and confirm supporting facts, I may be able to particularize the details of these transactions and dealings.
03:56Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr.
04:00I have a close and friendly relationship with Senator Ramon Bong Revilla and we go all the way back since the time of Amay Visaya and Mayor Visayo,
04:07who first introduced me to the former legislator while I was still a district engineer in Laguna sometime in 2005 or 2006.
04:16We frequently meet in important social gatherings.
04:19Senator Ramon Bong Revilla later on became a godparent of two of my daughters while I became a godparent to one of his children.
04:29When Senator Revilla was incarcerated, I visited him several times at the PNP custodial Center at Camp Crame.
04:36Because of our close relationship, Senator Revilla had asked me for assistance on several matters which I can no longer exactly recall at the moment because this happened a long time ago,
04:46and I presently don't have records to help me reconstruct the events.
04:51Sometime in the third quarter of 2024, Senator Revilla and I met where he asked me for a list of projects for funding ostensibly to help him in his national campaign.
05:01When Senator Revilla asked me about the percentage of the commitment, I suggested either 20 or 25, to which Senator Revilla said 25%.
05:10Soon thereafter, also in the third quarter of 2024, I asked then District Engineer Henry Alcantara to prepare a list of projects which he subsequently gave to me.
05:20The said projects are enumerated in a list here to attach as Annex A.
05:25I had the list of projects, totaling 1.5 billion submitted by Engineer Henry and Engineer Gerard, consolidated in one sheet of paper, and gave the same to Senator Revilla in the third quarter of 2024.
05:40With respect to the projects under the NEP and HGAB, I followed this up with Secretary Manny Bonoan upon request of Senator Revilla, who would also follow this up with Yusek Cate Cabral.
05:55The White House compound is the ancestral home of the Revillas with the large Blue Gate entrance at that time.
06:12Sometime in the last quarter of 2024, Engineer Alcantara collected the 25% commitment of about 125 million and informed me that the same was ready for turnover through Engineer Gerard Opulencia.
06:24Engineer Gerard Opulencia told me that the 25% commitment was already loaded in my vehicle.
06:30After receipt of the 25% commitment, which were packed in six cardboard boxes, each containing at least 20 million, and one paper bag containing 5 million, I called up Senator Revilla to inform me that the same is ready to be turned over to him.
06:45Sometime December 2024, probably the Monday after my receipt of the commitment, my driver and I went to the residence of Senator Revilla.
06:53Upon reaching the area, I tried calling Senator Revilla, but he was not answering my call, so I waited.
06:59After waiting for approximately one hour at a nearby gasoline station, we were finally allowed inside the compound by the guard.
07:06Once inside, we parked the vehicle, and shortly upon alighting, I saw Senator Revilla at the terrace.
07:12I walked over to Senator Revilla for a casual talk.
07:15While the boxes were being unloaded, Senator Revilla and I talked for about 20 to 25 minutes.
07:20I asked him, Sen, bakit hindi ka nakakampanya?
07:25Senator Bong replied, okay naman pare, maganda results ng survey. Relax muna.
07:30The personnel of Senator Revilla helped in unloading the boxes.
07:34After the delivery of the commitment, I headed back to Manila.
07:37Sometime late January or February 2025, in relation to a list of projects submitted by engineer Gerardo Polencia,
07:45Senator Revilla called me to follow up on the status of the commitment.
07:48About a week later, sometime February 2025, I informed Senator Revilla that the same was ready for turnover.
07:55Before the start of the campaign period for national elective positions, I directed one of my aids to deliver commitment,
08:01amounting to $250 million to the residence of Senator Revilla at the White House Compound, Aguinaldo Highway, Bacool, Cavite.
08:07Senator Nancy Binay.
08:11Carline Niavilla is the aid of Senator Nancy Binay, who transacted with me regarding the latest projects and commitment.
08:18If I recall correctly, I first met Carline in the year 2018 during the budget season at the Senate.
08:24Eventually, sometime 2019, Yusek Trigiv Olayvar, whom I knew very well, endorsed Carline to me.
08:30From then on, Carline would contact me directly to follow up the status of different matters.
08:35Sometime fourth quarter in 2022, Carline, claiming to act on behalf of Senator Binay,
08:41asked my help for the transfer of an assistant district engineer in Mindanao to another district, a request which I endorsed to Sec. Bunuan.
08:49Sometime during the third to fourth quarter of 2022,
08:53Carline requested on behalf of Senator Binay for a list of projects worth around $1.882 billion with 12% commitment.
09:02The said projects are enumerated in a list here to attach as Annex C.
09:06I got 3% of $1.882 billion.
09:12I prepared a list of projects within my area of jurisdiction with the help of DPW officials,
09:16but could not recall at this time exactly who among them gave me the list, but I can recall that it was Engineer Manny Bulusan who coordinated the collection of the commitment.
09:25Eventually, during the first quarter of 2023, the commitment was delivered to Carline for Senator Binay in several tranches in Makati and Quezon City,
09:34but I could not recall at this time the details of the deliveries, but I undertake to submit additional information thereon.
09:40Sometime last quarter of 2023, Carline again asked for Senator Binay a list of projects for inclusion and funding under the 2024 GAAA which I provided with the help of Engineer Gerard Apulencia and Engineer Henry Alcantara.
09:53The total list of projects initially amounted to $2.5 billion but which was reduced to $1.672 billion.
10:00The said projects are enumerated in a list here to attach as Annex D.
10:05Apparently, some individual or group offered Senator Binay a higher amount of commitment of 15% instead of the previous 12% with a promise that the commitment would be released much earlier.
10:17Yusek Trygiv learned about the plan to transact with this individual or group and I was informed by Yusek Trygiv that he confronted Carline and said to her,
10:26Bakit nyo binabawasan ang kay Robert? Siya din naman ang nilalapitan ng mga yan pagka nagkakaproblema.
10:32However, sometime later part of December 2023, Carline called me and requested for a $50 million advance for Senator Binay's use for the holiday season because the individual or group was unable to deliver on their promise and which I then helped to fix.
10:50Thereafter, Carline told me that Senator Binay was expecting an increase in the commitment from 12% to 15% which I agreed to fulfill.
10:58I did not get any percentage from the affirmation projects worth $1.672 billion but I was reimbursed the $50 million which I earlier advanced.
11:07I was nurturing goodwill with Senator Binay by fulfilling the commitment.
11:11Sometime 2024, Carline requested me to relate to Sec. Bunoyan, Senator Binay's request for some allocation under the NEP which I did.
11:18Sec. Bunoyan allocated $500 million for Senator Binay under the NEP for 2025 which I relayed to Carline.
11:25Carline told me to prepare a list of projects for the $500 million allocation.
11:30I then asked a list of projects from Engineer Henry and Engineer Gerard worth $500 million which I then submitted in person with Sec. Bunoyan who then told me he will instruct Jose Cabral to include the save in the NEP.
11:41The list of projects was included in the NEP for 2025. The said projects are enumerated in a list here to attach as Annex E.
11:48Likewise, sometime in the last quarter of 2024, Carline for Senator Binay asked for a list of projects to be included in the 2025 GAA.
11:56I then directed Engineer Henry and Engineer Gerard of Malaysia to prepare a consolidated list of projects.
12:02I submitted a list of projects totalling $3 billion to Carline but only approximately $2.6 billion was included.
12:08The said projects are enumerated in a list here to attach as Annex E.
12:12After these projects appeared in the GAA, Engineer Bulusan, Engineer of Malaysia and myself collected, raised and prepared the 15% commitment which was all turned over to me.
12:22There were difficulties in collecting the commitment as there were contractors, congressmen who did not give amount considering the issue of for later release projects totalling approximately $80 million more or less which I had to advance.
12:35Despite this total commitment collected and raised for Senator Binay was 15% of $3.1.2 billion or around $468 million more or less.
12:44I earlier mentioned that the $37 million more or less was delivered at Horseshoe Village, Quezon City, which refers to the amount collected by Engineer Henry Alcantara.
12:54But upon full recollection, there were two deliveries. The first delivery amounted to $340 million at a house in Horseshoe Village, Quezon City.
13:03And the second delivery amounted to at least $200 million at another house but also in Horseshoe Village, Quezon City.
13:09After the second delivery, Carline told me,
13:13Kinuha na ni Sir, salamat raw. Hindi karaw kakalimutan sa Makati. The Sir refers to the husband of Senator Binay.
13:22I did not get any percentage from the projects worth $3.120 million for NEP and GAAP for Senator Binay.
13:29Senator Chis Escudero and Maynard Ngu.
13:32I met Maynard Ngu at the Manini City Hall during the term of Mayor ERAP while I was the City Engineer of Palina sometime in 2013.
13:39Maynard Ngu is a familiar figure in the social-political circles as he would be handling substantial donations to politicians during election season, including the distribution of mobile phones.
13:51During the 2022 national elections, Maynard Ngu approached me and asked for help in raising campaign funds.
13:57I and other DPW officials assisted Maynard Ngu in raising campaign funds.
14:02These frequent interactions with Maynard Ngu at the court helped me in building our mutual trust with each other, especially in favor of Senator Escudero, whose interest Maynard Ngu was actively promoting.
14:14Maynard Ngu was appointed Special Envoy to China for trade, investments, and tourism in 2023.
14:21When Senator Chis Escudero became Senate President in 2024, Maynard Ngu approached me and asked for a list of projects for Senator Chis Escudero.
14:29Thereafter, sometime November 2024, I asked Engineer Opulencia to prepare a list of projects for Senator Chis Escudero following my conversation with Maynard Ngu.
14:39Thereafter, Engineer Opulencia submitted to me a list of projects for funding. The said projects are enumerated in a list here to attach as Annex G.
14:47For the projects located in Valenzuela, Engineer Opulencia through District Engineer Ruel Umali collected the money for the commitment for Senator Chis Escudero.
14:56He delivered the commitment at Diamond Hotel. We saw each other at the Diamond Hotel and Engineer Opulencia told me,
15:02Nasa inyo na po, boss. When I asked my driver to confirm, the driver told me, Nasa akin na po, okay na po.
15:09For the projects located in Marinduque, Engineer Opulencia through Regional Director Ryan Altea collected the commitment for Senator Chis Escudero.
15:18He delivered to me the commitment at Diamond Hotel. Engineer Opulencia called me and said, May papadala ako sa inyo ngayon.
15:25Sa inyo ngayon, dadalhin na lang po sa Diamond. Later, the driver told me, Nasa akin na po, okay na po.
15:32Following a deeper recollection of the facts and checking with public records, I can now confirm that in addition to the Valenzuela and Marinduque projects,
15:39Engineer Opulencia also provided the list of projects for Oriental Mendoro and Quezon City.
15:44The complete list of projects for Senator Chis Escudero is worth 1.4 billion with 20% commitment.
15:50The said projects are enumerated in a list here to attach as Annex H.
15:55Sometime early 2025, I made the first delivery of 160 million for Senator Chis Escudero at the Cherry Mobile building at Maynard Ngu in a Pasible Street, Manila.
16:04Thereafter, early 2025, I made the second delivery of 120 million for Senator Chis Escudero also at the Cherry Mobile building of Maynard Ngu.
16:13Senator Jinggoy Estrada.
16:18I have known Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada since I met Senator Jinggoy Estrada through the social circles of Senator Bong Revilla.
16:26We usually had encounters during social gatherings of people in the movie industry.
16:31We developed a close relationship.
16:34Sometime in 2010, when I was assistant regional director of DPWS Region 4A, Senator Jinggoy was backing me to become a regional director.
16:42When I failed to become a regional director, I applied for the position of city engineer and Senator Jinggoy was one of those who recommended me.
16:50When he was incarcerated, I would visit him, but sometimes together with then city mayor, Joseph Erap Estrada.
16:58Sometime in 2023, Senator Jinggoy requested Secretary Bonoan through me for projects worth 500 million.
17:05Secretary Bonoan agreed to give 450 million for the DPWS NCR building, which Jose Cate Cabral included in the NEP for 2024, with an 18% commitment for Senator Jinggoy.
17:16Senator Jinggoy called me sometime in the third quarter of 2024 and asked me to request the amount of 1 billion from Sen.
17:22Sen. Jinggoy said,
17:25Tulungan mo na lang ako dyan kasi marami pa akong tutulungan sa eleksyon.
17:29I replied,
17:30Okay na ba ang 25% Sen?
17:33Sen. Jinggoy responded,
17:34Okay na ang 25%.
17:36I relate to Sen. Jinggoy the request of Sen. Jinggoy.
17:39The former then asked me to prepare a list of projects for the latter.
17:43In turn, I asked Engineer Gerard Opolensia for a list of projects.
17:47When Engineer Opolensia gave me the list, I gave it to Secretary Bonoan who told me that he will give the same to Jose Cate Cabral and that the latter will take care of it.
17:55At the moment, I cannot locate the list or a copy thereof.
17:59Later on, I saw that some of these projects totalling 500 million and included in the list I gave to Sec. Bonoan were listed in the NEP for that year.
18:08These projects as appearing in the NEP are enumerated in a list here to attach as Annex I hereof.
18:14Thereafter, Sen. Jinggoy called me and asked me what happened to the difference of 500 million.
18:20I relayed this to Sec. Bonoan.
18:22The latter replied that he will prioritize the matter as soon as there is available funding.
18:27Subsequently, I found out that the projects totalling 200 million were included in the SGAP for 2025.
18:33These projects as appearing in the SGAP are listed Annex J hereof.
18:37However, Sen. Jinggoy called me again for the difference of 300 million to complete the 1 billion project value that was requested.
18:44During the BICAM, projects worth 750 million were again included in the projects to eventually form part of the 2025 GA.
18:51The said projects are enumerated in a list here to attach as Annex K.
18:55The total budget for the projects which appeared in the 2025 GA is approximately 1.45 billion, more or less.
19:02After, Engineer of Polencia collected the 25% commitment, approximately 360 million, and delivered the same to Diamond Hotel in Manila.
19:13Thereafter, I tasked my driver to deliver the boxes to Sen. Jinggoy at the Archaga Building in San Juan City.
19:19Sen. Jinggoy personally confirmed to me his receipt of the commitment and thanked me for the same.
19:24During the 2024 budget hearing for 2025 GA, Engineer Alcantara informed me that Sen. Jinggoy gave him funding amounting to 355 million for Bulacan first DEO,
19:35and 500 million from other districts in Bulacan, and requested that he, Engineer Alcantara, prepare lists of projects.
19:42The said projects are enumerated in a list here to attach as Annex L and L-1 respectively.
19:48Later on, sometime in the first quarter of 2025, Sen. Jinggoy asked me to get the 25% commitment for the apportioned list of projects from Engineer Alcantara.
19:58Engineer Alcantara then delivered to me the 25% commitment, approximately 213 million, which I delivered to Sen. Jinggoy at the Archaga Building in San Juan City.
20:07Senator Grace Poe. Sometime third quarter of 2024, J.Y. De La Rosa, a staff of Sen. Grace Poe, requested Sec. Bonoan through me if Sen. Grace Poe can be accommodated in the DPWS NEP.
20:25Sec. Bonoan told me there is a 500 million for Sen. Grace Poe, and instructed me to ask the Sen. for a list of projects.
20:32J.Y. De La Rosa told me to coordinate the matter with Mrs. Patron, a contractor.
20:37Mrs. Patron told me to prepare the list.
20:40Upon my instructions, Engineer Gerardo Polesia submitted a consolidated list of the following projects, one in Laguna and three in NCR.
20:48These projects are indicated in the list here to attach as Annex M.
20:52Thereafter, the list of projects was included in the NEP by Sec. Bonoan through Yusek Cate Cabral.
20:58Later on, the said projects appeared in the GAA for 2025.
21:01There was a 20% commitment collected for Sen. Grace Poe.
21:05Mrs. Patron, a contractor, collected the commitment for Sen. Grace Poe at Diamond Hotel from one of my aides.
21:12Congresswoman Mary Mitzi Mitz Kahayun Uy.
21:18There were projects released in Congresswoman Kahayun Uy's congressional district, which I facilitated.
21:23I submitted projects being proposed by her to proponents for funding, the details of which I am still verifying and confirming at the moment.
21:31In addition to my status in my affidavit dated 25 of September, 2025, I was told by Engineer Alcantara, Congresswoman Zaldi would from time to time to time to time to time.
21:52In addition to my status in my affidavit dated 25 of September, 2025, I was told by Engineer Alcantara, Congresswoman Zaldi would from time to time deal also with Engineers Gerard Pakanan, Gerard Opulensia, and Danny Villa.
22:06There were times Engineer Gerard Pakanan and Gerard Opulensia would give me certain amounts supposedly from Congressman Zaldi ko.
22:13Usyk Trigib Olaibar of David.
22:16In addition to my statements in my affidavit dated 25 of September, 2025, I wish to add that I have known Usyk Trigib as early as 2010 when he was still a staff of Senator Bongrivilla.
22:27He is a common figure in budget deliberation hearings and by reason of which I had interacted with him on multiple occasions.
22:34Usyk Trigib then worked under the office of Senator Edgardo Angara and then later worked under the office of Senator Sani Angara.
22:41When Senator Sani Angara became a Chairman of Finance, Usyk Trigib and I would have several interactions as part of our work in budget preparations.
22:50When Senator Revilla was incarcerated with Senator Jingo Estrada, Usyk Trigib and I would frequently call each other so we can help look after the welfare of concerns of Senator Revilla,
22:59whom I visited several times with Senator Jingo Estrada while they were in detention.
23:04Aside from the details I had earlier mentioned in my affidavit dated 25 of September, 2025, Usyk Trigib and I also had transactions concerning Senator Angara between 2019 and 2024,
23:16where Usyk Trigib received deliveries representing 12% of the projects of Senator Sani Angara while the latter was Chairman of Finance.
23:23As I previously mentioned in my affidavit dated 25 of September, 2025, Usyk Olaivari and I discussed the unprogrammed appropriations supposedly for the office of the Executive Secretary.
23:35Thereafter, DPWS received special aratment release order which included projects worth 2.85 billion.
23:41The contract IDs for the projects worth 2.85 billion covered by the CEDSARO can be secured from the records of DPWS regional office for Region 3 and the 1st District Engineering Office of Bulacan.
23:52Moreover, in the unprogrammed appropriate allocation, for 2025, there could have been an additional 12 billion more or less funding which I am verifying and confirming at the moment.
24:04DPWS Secretary Mark Villar and Yusek Cabral
24:09I was appointed Assistant Secretary of DPWS by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016 during the term of DPWS Secretary Mark Villar.
24:18As Assistant Secretary for Operations, I was assigned over the Visayas regions.
24:22While I was Assistant Secretary for Operations, I was introduced to Carlo Aguilar, a cousin of Mark Villar.
24:28Yusek Cabral was already the Undersecretary for Planning Service when I became Assistant Secretary.
24:34As Undersecretary for Planning Service, Yusek Cabral was working closely with Sec. Mark Villar for the allocation, listing, and budgeting of all the DPWS infrastructure projects.
24:46While I was Assistant Secretary, I was also later designated as Chairman of the Central Bits and Awards Committee, Central Back.
24:54In the later part of 2017, I was promoted to Undersecretary of the DPWH during the incumbency of Senator Mark Villar
25:01and took my oath of office as Undersecretary before him.
25:04In the first quarter of 2018, I was designated as Undersecretary for Operations for NCR, 4B, and the three Visayas regions.
25:12Upon my request, I was replaced as Chairman Central Back sometime in February 2020 because of political intrigues
25:20as I was reported deciding with then City of Manila Mayor Iscomreno, who was vocal against then President Rodrigo Duterte.
25:27All of this time, the funding of all projects was cleared through Yusek Cabral for approval by Sec. Mark Villar.
25:34From time to time, Yusek Cabral would ask me to submit detailed lists of projects with regards to lump sum fund allocations of DPWH,
25:41which lists she sometimes would approve herself or forward to Sec. Mark Villar for approval.
25:47Among others, this included ELSA and other major roads, project allocations, maintenance of creeks and waterways, etc.
25:56The commission for these approved projects was 10% and divided as follows, 50% to Carlo Aguilar,
26:03presumably for Sec. Mark Villar, 25% Yusek Cabral, 25% for myself.
26:09Undersecretary Maria Catalina E. Cabral
26:13As a general rule, with very little exceptions, it is Yusek Maria Catalina Cabral with the imprimatur of Sec. Mark Villar and later continued by Sec. Mani Bunuan,
26:26who had control at the DPWH level to remove, include, add, deduct or modify insertions of items in the NEP for infrastructure or those pertaining to DPWH.
26:38Yusek Cabral would tell me that she would communicate and meet legislators to inform them of the amount of their allocations
26:45and ask them for titles of projects that they want to include in the DPWH's budget.
26:50In a matrix of process flow that I have prepared, which I am attaching here to as Annex N,
26:55Yusek Cabral has total influence and authority in preparing and finalizing the NEP for infrastructure.
27:01On multiple occasions, I personally delivered and also cost to be delivered cash to Yusek Cabral at her house at Atalon, Quezon City and other places.
27:14DPWH Secretary Manuel Bunuan is a long-time DPWH official who has held top positions through different administrations.
27:35I look up to Sec. Mani Bunuan and consider him as a mentor. I treasure his guidance and friendship over the years.
27:49Prior to Sec. Mani Bunuan's assumption as Secretary of DPWH, I was the Undersecretary for Operations and Planning for NCR Visayas, having assumed the set position in 2018.
28:00Unlike during the time of Sec. Marc Villar, when I was not given much task, even removed as PAC Chairman, and had very limited operational functions during the COVID pandemic period,
28:12Sec. Mani Bunuan entrusted me with more operational functions and let me work more closely with Yusek Cabral.
28:19Sometime in 2022, Sec. Mani Bunuan directed me to submit a list of projects for possible inclusion in the NEP for fiscal year 2023 worth around $450 million.
28:31Without question and delay, I asked Bulacan first DEO for a list of projects for funding.
28:36Thereafter, Engineer Alcantara submitted to me a list of projects for funding under the NEP. Those projects are indicated in the list here to attach as Annex O.
28:45In compliance with this order, I forwarded the list to Sec. Mani Bunuan. He told me that Undersecretary for Planning, Maria Catalina Cati Cabral, shall facilitate and ensure the inclusion of these projects in the NEP.
28:57Engineer Alcantara gave 10% of the value of the projects. Similarly, in 2023, Sec. Mani Bunuan directed me to submit a list of projects for possible inclusion in the NEP for fiscal year 2024 worth around $150 million.
29:11Again, without question and delay, I asked Bulacan first DEO for a list of projects for funding. Thereafter, Engineer Alcantara submitted to me a list of projects for funding under the NEP.
29:20Those projects are indicated in the list here to attach as Annex P. In compliance with this order, I forwarded the list to Sec. Mani Bunuan. Sec. Mani Bunuan said that Jose Cabral shall again facilitate and ensure the inclusion of these projects in the NEP.
29:38Engineer Alcantara gave 15% of the value of the projects. Also in the year 2024, Sec. Mani Bunuan also directed me to submit a list of projects for possible inclusion in the NEP for fiscal year 2025 for the amount of $900 million.
29:51I asked Bulacan first DEO for a list of projects for funding. Thereafter, Engineer Alcantara submitted to me a list of projects for funding under the NEP.
29:59Those projects are indicated in the list here to attach as Annex Q. In compliance with this order, I forwarded the list to Sec. Bunuan. Sec. Bunuan said that Jose Cabral shall again facilitate and ensure the inclusion of these projects in the NEP.
30:15Engineer Alcantara gave 20% of the value of the projects. With respect to the commitments collected by Engineer Alcantara narrated above, Secretary Bunuan and I received a percentage.
30:26In many instances during budget deliberations, I was tasked by Sec. Bunuan to talk to legislators over their funding and other concerns and to forward these concerns to Jose Cabral for action and resolution.
30:40Sec. Bunuan and Jose Cabral. Every year, including years 2023, 2024 and 2025, Jose Cati Cabral apportions the budget ceiling for the DPWA's allocable NEP among the districts,
30:55according to the endorsed programs, PAPS.
31:00Although she would make it appear that 100% allocable NEP had been apportioned, Jose Cati Cabral would reserve a substantial percentage of that allocable NEP for her and Sec. Bunuan's preferred projects.
31:14Sec. Mani Bunuan would, from time to time, ask me to take charge of part of his own reserve allocations.
31:21The value of the projects that I handled for Sec. Bunuan was at least 5 billion per annum for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 with an average of 15% commitment.
31:34Sec. Bunuan's 75% usually would give me 25% of the commitment with the rest of the commitment shared between him and Jose Cati Cabral.
31:52Sec. Cati Cabral herself took charge of her own reserve allocations. Once again, I humbly reserve the right to submit another supplementary affidavit if warranted in the premises.
32:05I attest to the truth of the foregoing statements based on my personal knowledge and authentic records.
32:12Mr. Chair, thank you.
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