Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo on Tuesday claimed he received a P130 million “token of gratitude” from resigned congressman Zaldy Co.
Bernardo made the statement at the Sandiganbayan as a state witness in malversation charges filed against 16 individuals, including ex-DPWH officials and Co, over an alleged substandard Oriental Mindoro project.
“Your Honor, it was a token of gratitude for guaranteeing proper communication with Engineer Alcantara,” Bernardo said, responding to a query from Sandiganbayan Sixth Division chairperson Associate Justice Sarah Fernandez.
He added he accepted the money out of fear.
Of the total amount, Bernardo said P100 million from 2023 to 2025 was coursed through former DPWH First District Engineering Office District Engineer Henry Alcantara, and another P30 million from 2023 to 2025 was coursed through ex-DPWH 4B Regional Director Gerald Pacanan.
Bernardo said the Alcantara portion was divided as P40 million in 2023, P40 million in 2024, and P20 million in 2025, while Pacanan’s share was P10 million each year from 2023 to 2025.
“He (Pacanan) told me the funds came from Zaldy Co,” Bernardo told the court.
