Where is Retired DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo?
Retired Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo has become the center of talk in recent weeks, not because of a public appearance, but because of his silence. Despite his name being repeatedly mentioned in ongoing hearings about the alleged corruption mess in flood control projects, his presence has been noticeably absent.
Senator Ping Lacson, who heads the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, has described Bernardo as a “very powerful figure” in DPWH, especially under the leadership of former secretary Manuel Bonoan. According to Lacson, two engineers now facing scrutiny—Henry Alcantara and Brice Hernandez—were considered protégés of Bernardo. Yet, while these men face questioning, their former boss has not been seen in the hearings, even though he could provide much-needed clarity.
Also Read:- Lions Outmuscle Ravens in Monday Night Football Thriller
- NFL Week Three Delivers Thrills, Comebacks and Unbeaten Runs
It has also been reported that Bernardo was among DPWH executives named by contractors as allegedly involved in questionable practices, such as soliciting money after projects had been secured. In Lacson’s privilege speech, connections were even drawn between Bernardo, Bonoan, and a contractor of flood control projects in Bulacan—MBB Global Properties Corp.—where their children reportedly hold ownership stakes. With details like these surfacing, the call for Bernardo to face the public has only grown louder.
Adding to the mystery are rumors that he may have already left the country, even as an immigration lookout bulletin order was sought for officials and contractors linked to the scandal. While absence does not equate to guilt, many observers say Bernardo might be the missing piece tying the engineers, DPWH insiders, and political figures together in this billion-peso controversy.
In early August, Bernardo did issue a statement, saying his conscience is clear. He denied being dismissed from DPWH or involved in any irregularities, emphasizing that he had served faithfully for over three decades. His career began in 1986 as a civil engineering aide, eventually rising to undersecretary for operations overseeing projects across NCR, the Visayas, and Region IV-B. He has been described by colleagues as brilliant and hardworking, even receiving a prestigious alumni award from his alma mater, Mapua Institute of Technology. Still, questions linger about his reported properties, luxury cars, and watches—assets that critics argue deserve scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the public’s anger is not directed at him alone. Large protests have erupted, calling for accountability from top officials, lawmakers, and contractors involved in the scandal. Tens of thousands of people marched under the heat and rain, chanting, raising fists, and demanding justice. While not yet at the scale of historic uprisings like EDSA, the unrest shows how deep the frustration runs.
Bernardo’s story is not just about one man. It reflects a bigger issue that has long plagued public works in the country: corruption, patronage, and projects that fail the people they are meant to serve. And so the question remains—where is Usec. Bernardo, and when will he finally speak up?
Read More:
0 Comments