In what is rapidly becoming one of the most explosive political dramas of the year, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has been rocked by a series of startling revelations that threaten to implicate some of the country’s highest-ranking officials. The atmosphere in the session hall shifted from routine inquiry to palpable shock as a former high-ranking official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) took the stand, peeling back the layers of a purported multi-billion peso corruption scandal that has allegedly siphoned vast amounts of taxpayer money into the pockets of a select few.

The hearing, which initially focused on flood control anomalies, has metamorphosed into a full-blown investigation into systemic corruption. The spotlight is now firmly on the testimony of former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, whose detailed account of internal maneuverings has provided what some are calling the “blueprint” of modern graft. Bernardo did not mince words, directly naming his former colleagues and superiors, painting a picture of an agency captured by greed and political patronage.

The “Formula” for Corruption

At the heart of Bernardo’s testimony is the allegation against former Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral. Once celebrated as an outstanding public servant, Cabral was described by Bernardo not as a steward of public funds, but as the gatekeeper of a shadowy budget allocation system. He alleged that Cabral possessed a “secret formula” for distributing funds to congressional districts—an equation known only to her, which determined which districts received billions and which received crumbs. This discretionary power, according to the witness, was the lever used to negotiate kickbacks.

The testimony took a darker turn when Bernardo admitted to his own role in the scheme. In a moment that silenced the room, he confessed to personally facilitating the delivery of cash—bundles amounting to 5 million, 7 million, and even 10 million pesos—to private residences. These deliveries were allegedly part of a standard operating procedure involving “commitments” or kickbacks from contractors, a polite term for bribery that has seemingly become institutionalized within the department.

The 15% Kickback Scheme

Perhaps the most damaging part of the revelation was the breakdown of the alleged kickback percentages. Bernardo claimed that under certain administrations, the standard “commitment” was 15% of the total project cost. He detailed a disturbing profit-sharing arrangement where 75% of this kickback allegedly went to top secretaries, while the remaining portion was distributed among “facilitators.” He even implicated former DPWH Secretary and current Senator Mark Villar, alleging a distinct 10% scheme during his tenure, a claim that has sent shockwaves through the Senate floor.

The precision of these allegations—naming names, percentages, and delivery methods—has stripped away the usual ambiguity of corruption investigations. It suggests a highly organized, top-down syndicate operating within the government’s primary infrastructure arm.

The Palawan Connection and the “Sleeping” Contractor

While Bernardo provided the theory, a separate investigation by the media and the Senate has seemingly found the “receipts.” The focus has shifted to the province of Palawan and a mysterious firm known as “Otagon Concrete Solutions.” Records show that this relatively unknown company, which had been dormant for years, suddenly roared back to life in 2024 and 2025, securing seven massive contracts worth over 1.1 billion pesos.

The timing of this resurgence is being scrutinized intensely. The contracts coincided with the period when House Speaker Martin Romualdez was appointed caretaker of the legislative districts in Palawan. Further digging revealed that the chairman of Otagon allegedly served as an executive assistant to Romualdez in 2022. While the Speaker’s camp has vehemently denied any connection, the pattern is difficult to ignore. It fits perfectly into the “Contractor of Choice” narrative described by Bernardo—where favored entities win bids through invisible hands, regardless of their track record or capacity.

“Part 4 is Coming”

Adding to the tension is the looming threat of more exposures from the camp of “Zaldy Co,” a figure central to the controversy. His lawyer, Atty. Roy Rondain, recently faced the media with a confidence that unsettled many observers. Rondain asserted that their evidence is “more than enough” and described it as “absolute.” He teased that the current revelations are merely the tip of the iceberg, warning of a “Part 4” and potentially a “Part 5” to their series of exposes.

This implies that the scandal is not an isolated incident but a serialized unraveling of a massive network. The lawyer hinted at “bigger names” yet to be dropped, suggesting that the corruption extends beyond the DPWH and into the highest echelons of national leadership.

A Crisis of Trust

The implications of these hearings are profound. We are talking about billions of pesos allocated for flood control, roads, and essential infrastructure—money meant to protect and serve the Filipino people—allegedly being treated as spoils of war by those in power. The “formula” described by witnesses suggests that budget allocations are based not on public need, but on private gain.

As the Senate digs deeper, the public is left watching a real-time dismantling of political reputations. The narrative has shifted from “if” corruption exists to “who” is ultimately responsible. With witnesses turning state evidence and documents surfacing to corroborate testimonies, the days of denying involvement may be numbered for some of the country’s most powerful figures. The question remains: Will this investigation lead to accountability, or will it be another spectacle that fades into the background? For now, the nation watches and waits for the next name to drop.