Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo is not fit to become a state witness and should instead be treated as the alleged “mastermind” in the multibillion-peso anomalies now under investigation, the National Institute for Transparency and Accountability (NITA) said.
According to NITA Executive Director Carlos Ayala, a private organization advocating for fairness and accountability in both public and private sectors, said Bernardo’s own statements show that he played a central role in the movement, allocation, and alleged misuse of billions of pesos in public funds, disqualifying him from any claim of being a mere participant.
NITA’s recent activities include expressing concern over standards within the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) in late 2025.
“By his own admission, billions of pesos passed through his hands,” Ayala said. “That level of control establishes responsibility at the highest level. A person who masterminds the operation should not be rewarded with immunity.”
Ayala said Bernardo’s accusations against other individuals remain allegations that must still be proven in court. What is already clear, he stressed, is Bernardo’s direct authority over public funds involved in the case.
“Anyone can make accusations,” Ayala said. “Evidence is what matters. At this point, the undisputed fact is that the money was under his control. That makes him the most accountable, not the most credible witness.”
NITA urged authorities to focus on accountability and asset recovery rather than relying on what it described as “sensational testimony.”
Ayala called for the immediate pursuit of allegedly stolen funds, including the seizure of properties linked to Bernardo and the freezing of his bank accounts and other financial assets while cases are being processed.
“The Filipino people deserve more than dramatic revelations,” Ayala said. “They deserve the return of stolen funds and a clear signal that those who design and execute corruption schemes will be held fully liable, regardless of any later cooperation.”
Ayala said true transparency and justice require prosecuting the principal architects of corruption rather than using them primarily to build cases against others. He added that NITA will continue to monitor developments in the investigation and advocate for institutional reforms to prevent similar abuses in the future.
