P120-M kickback was just 1% of total, witness tells court

MANILA — State witness Roberto Bernardo, a former undersecretary at the Department of Public Works and Highways, revealed that the P120 million he received from former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co constitutes only about one percent of the total kickbacks allegedly generated from infrastructure projects nationwide.

Bernardo made the disclosure while testifying in court, suggesting that Co's alleged scheme to extract payments from public works contracts extended far beyond the transaction directly involving the witness.

The testimony places the alleged total kickbacks at approximately P12 billion, according to Bernardo's calculations. The amount underscores the scale of what prosecutors contend was a systematic operation to siphon funds from major infrastructure initiatives across multiple regions.

Bernardo's account is expected to form a significant part of the case against Co, who has been accused of using his congressional position to demand kickbacks from contractors and project implementers. The former lawmaker's alleged network reportedly encompassed various infrastructure developments throughout the archipelago.

The case continues as prosecutors build their case through testimony from witnesses with direct knowledge of the alleged transactions and arrangements.