MARCH 5, 2026 — Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo has been cleared to testify against resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co in the P289-million flood control scandal in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro — a case that could expose how public funds meant to protect communities from floods were allegedly siphoned into substandard projects.

The Sandiganbayan has allowed prosecutors to enlist Bernardo as one of four state witnesses in the malversation case against Co and 15 others. The project in question — a supposed flood control system in Naujan — was pegged at ₱289 million, but investigators say it was riddled with anomalies and delivered substandard results. Alongside Bernardo, other witnesses include Henry Alcantara, Gerard Opulencia, and contractor Sally Santos.

This isn’t just about one project. The Department of Justice has been building cases against at least 21 individuals, including lawmakers and DPWH officials, linked to questionable flood control deals.

Every rainy season, we brace for waist-deep waters, lost livelihoods, and damaged homes. When billions are poured into projects that don’t work, it’s not just corruption — it’s betrayal.

Think about it: how many families in Mindoro, Bulacan, or Metro Manila have suffered because floodwaters keep rising despite “completed” projects? How many taxpayers’ pesos have been wasted on infrastructure that crumbles under the first typhoon?

Bernardo’s testimony could be pivotal. As a former DPWH insider, he knows how contracts were awarded and how standards were allegedly compromised. If his account confirms systemic corruption, this case could ripple across the bureaucracy, forcing accountability not just on Co but on a wider network of officials.

Two crucial dates — March 17 and 19 — will decide how deep this flood control mess really goes.

Big names, big scandals, endless hearings — and yet, how often do we see convictions that stick? How often do we see stolen money returned, or crooked officials barred from politics for good?

(Image: Philippine News Agency)