MANILA, Philippines – State witness and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo revealed on Tuesday, March 17, that he allegedly received money from former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co on different occasions.

Bernardo told the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan that he allegedly received shares from Co from 2023 to 2025 amounting to around P130 million in total. He said the “balato” (share) – the term used by some of the parties during the Tuesday hearing – was allegedly coursed through former DPWH Mimaropa regional director Gerald Pacanan.

The hearing was for the malversation case pending with the Sandiganbayan 6th Division.

Co, along with DPWH Mimaropa officials, and board of directors of Sunwest Corporation (founded by Co), are facing charges over alleged irregularities in the procurement and construction of a P289.4-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Sandiganbayan 6th Division chairperson Sarah Jane Fernandez asked Bernardo during the hearing why he was given P130 million. Bernardo said it was probably a “token of gratitude,” adding that he was told by former DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara that the money came from Co.

Co, a former ally of former House speaker Martin Romualdez, was the lower chamber’s appropriations chairperson from 2022 to January 2025.

Bernardo said he was afraid that if he disagreed or did not accept the money, he would be seen by Co as a hindrance to them.

During examination by the prosecution, Bernardo also said that he has known Pacanan since 2016 and has encountered him many times. He reiterated that Pacanan gave him “balato” that came from Co.

The former Ako Bicol lawmaker became the focal point of blame in the government’s flood control scandal because of his background as a long-time contractor. The company he founded, Sunwest, bagged billions of pesos in projects while he was the appropriations chairperson.

Co remains at large overseas and has yet to be arrested by Philippine authorities despite the issuance of a warrant against him in November 2025. – Rappler.com