WHO is Roberto Bernardo, and why is the Senate interested in him?
The former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary has emerged as a key figure in the Senate’s probe into the multi-billion-peso flood control corruption scandal, with lawmakers pointing to his role in the careers of district engineers now implicated in questionable projects and alleged kickbacks in Bulacan.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said Bernardo, who served as DPWH undersecretary for operations, had a direct hand in the appointment of Henry Alcantara as district engineer in Bulacan.
Alcantara would later bring in Brice Hernandez — now a whistleblower in the hearings — as his protégé and eventual successor at the First District Engineering Office.
“Bernardo was the superior of both Alcantara and Hernandez. He was responsible for their assignments, and naturally, we need to know what he knew and how involved he was in these anomalies,” Lacson said on Monday.
From Manila City Hall to DPWH undersecretary
Bernardo’s career began in DPWH, where he rose through the ranks. During the Estrada administration in the City of Manila, he was seconded to the City Engineer’s Office, working closely with Alcantara, then a division chief. Their ties deepened in Manila and carried over to DPWH, where Alcantara was later promoted.
In 2017, under then-DPWH secretary Mark Villar, Bernardo returned to the department as undersecretary for operations.
His position gave him wide influence over engineering appointments across Luzon, excluding Regions 1, 2, and the Cordillera.
This meant he had direct say in who was assigned to head district and regional offices — posts central to approving and implementing infrastructure projects.
Rise of Alcantara and Hernandez
As undersecretary, Bernardo played a role in Alcantara’s promotion from Bulacan district engineer to acting assistant regional director of Region 4A under the leadership of then-secretary Manuel Bonoan.
At the same time, Hernandez was tapped to replace Alcantara as officer-in-charge of the Bulacan First District Engineering Office, effectively ensuring continuity of control in the province.
Lacson said Alcantara was groomed to return as regional director of Region 3 after his brief assignment in Region 4A.
“This shows how the network of influence extended within the DPWH hierarchy,” Lacson said.
Contractor links and property ties
The hearings also flagged Bernardo’s ties to contractors. Lacson pointed to connections between Bernardo’s family and MBB Properties, a company linked to relatives of other senior officials, including Bonoan and a contractor named Maglangit.
While Lacson clarified that Bernardo was not accused of direct involvement in Maglangit’s projects, he noted that these ties raised questions about possible conflicts of interest.
Retirement
Bernardo filed for early retirement on Aug. 15, shortly after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed widespread anomalies in flood control projects during his State of the Nation Address.
Early retirement would entitle him to a pension and benefits, but Lacson said these could be forfeited if grave misconduct is established.
Immigration records show that Bernardo traveled abroad in June but has since returned to the Philippines.
He has confirmed through intermediaries that he will appear before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Tuesday.
Testimonies from whistleblowers have already detailed hundreds of millions of pesos in cash deliveries tied to congressional insertions in flood control projects.
Senators believe Bernardo’s testimony could help determine whether the corruption extended upward into DPWH leadership.
“Bernardo’s position gave him enormous influence over appointments and operations. If serious misconduct is proven, his retirement benefits could be forfeited,” Lacson said, adding that his role is central to understanding how the alleged scheme became entrenched in Bulacan and beyond.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is set to question Bernardo to determine the extent of his involvement in the appointments and whether his authority as undersecretary facilitated the alleged misuse of public funds.
