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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider ICI to use Bernardo's affidavits as evidence in referral cases vs 3 former, sitting senators

ICI to use Bernardo's affidavits as evidence in referral cases vs 3 former, sitting senators

Published Nov 19, 2025 11:59 am  |  Updated Nov 19, 2025 02:10 pm

At A Glance

  • The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will rely on the affidavit submitted by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo in the filing of charges against three former and sitting senators alleged to be involved in the anomalous flood control projects.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will rely on the affidavit submitted by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo in the filing of charges against three former and sitting senators alleged to be involved in the anomalous flood control projects.
"Yes, of course," ICI chairman retired Supreme Court (SC) associate justice Andres Reyes Jr. said in a brief press conference on Wednesday, Nov. 19, when asked if the ICI would cite Bernardo's affidavit as evidence.
According to Reyes, the body is now "studying" Bernardo's first and second affidavits, which he executed during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing and subsequently submitted to the ICI.
In his affidavits, particularly the second one, Bernardo implicated three former and incumbent senators, namely former senator Grace Poe, former senator and now Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara and incumbent Senator Mark Villar.
Reyes says ICI is now "reevaluating everything" following Bernardo's new affidavit. Before this, Reyes said ICI was set to file referral cases against three former and incumbent senators, although he did not name them.
"We're studying that. So we'll have a delay of 10 days. Hopefully we finish it. We have to look at the first and second affidavit," he added.
'More names to come out'
Reyes also said that "moving forward, expect more names to come out and more filings to follow" in relation to the anomalous flood control project.
More individuals will also be invited as resource persons to establish cases against those allegedly involved, he added.
His commitment came after the Ombudsman filed malversation and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against Zaldy Co and other co-respondents—the first cases to be filed in relation to the controversy.
"This filing is only the beginning. But hopefully, from this filing, a new nation emerges," he said.
"Our country can be great if there is personal honesty amongst each of us. We are now closer to recovering what was stolen... We will continue to work hard for the Filipino people," he added.
'No comment'
On the other hand, Reyes says ICI still has "no comment" on former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Co's allegation about President Marcos' alleged involvement in the flood control project mess.
A day prior, ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka said ICI was treating Co's purported revelation with "a grain of salt" considering that the Facebook videos where he made the allegations were neither verified nor made under oath.
It could have held more weight if Co did it under oath, Hosaka said.
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