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Bulk of P611-M returned to DOJ came from ex-DPWH Usec Bernardo

Philippines | National

Bulk of P611-M returned to DOJ came from ex-DPWH Usec Bernardo

By Jeffrey Damicog

Bulk of the P611 million turned over to the Department of Justice (DOJ) as a form of restitution in the “anomalous” flood control projects came from former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo.

DOJ Spokesperson Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez disclosed the amount of restitution during a press briefing on Tuesday, March 31.

Martinez said last January that the DOJ had received P316 million in cash as restitution.

“This amount has since increased to P611 million,” he said.

“This covers not just the amount surrendered already through restitution with the department, but also those which were previously assigned by then Undersecretary Bernardo specifically to the department,” he explained.

He said the amount of P290 million came from Bernardo whose frozen assets "could not be liquidated at least at that time."

The other amounts in the P611 million came from former DPWH Bulacan First District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara amounting to P181,379,500; DPWH Regional Director Gerard P. Opulencia, P120,002,000; and Sally Santos of Syms Construction Trading, P20 million.

Bernardo, Alcantara, Opulencia, and Santos have been placed as state witnesses in the prosecution of the flood control cases.

Related Tags

DOJ Flood control cases Money returned

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