Bernardo explains how budget sponsors decide who implements public works

MANILA, Philippines – Former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo described a scheme where control over projects follows the lawmaker — also called “proponent” — who caused their release.

At the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on Monday, June 19, Bernardo said district engineers or regional directors are informed about the identity of the proponents, and respect their “authority” over the project.

“If the proponent is far away, for example, if the contract was awarded to someone located far from the project site, and there is someone in the locality who wants to take over the project, they talk to the district engineer or the director so that [the local party] will be the one to carry out the project,” Bernardo said in Filipino. 

Watch his remarks here, prompted by Senator JV Ejercito’s question on the buy-and-sell scheme on public works projects in Congress. – Rappler.com