A coalition of activists filed a graft complaint with the Ombudsman on Monday, March 30, against former undersecretaries Adrian Bersamin and Trygve Olaivar over an alleged multibillion-peso kickback scheme in flood control projects. The complaint draws from testimonies by former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. The Ombudsman is also investigating them for plunder conspiracy.
MANILA, Philippines — Bagong Alyansang Makabayan chairperson Teddy Casiño and Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot’s David San Juan, along with former officials including France Castro, Bonifacio Ilagan, Maria Sevalla, David D’Angelo, Gaudelia Tiongson, and Servando Peralta, filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday, March 30.
The graft and Code of Conduct violation complaint targets former Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin and former Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar. Complainants allege a multibillion-peso “commitment-insertion-kickback” scheme from the top of the Marcos administration, where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered budgetary insertions leading to kickbacks of P800 million to P2 billion.
Testimonies cited include those from former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, shared by Sen. Panfilo Lacson on the Senate floor, detailing an “armored van” exchange in a Manila hotel basement. Zaldy Co’s video statements are also referenced. A 15% “commitment” fee on projects under unprogrammed appropriations is alleged.
Bersamin and Olaivar resigned as scrutiny over anomalous flood control projects intensified. No court cases have been filed against them yet, but Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said they are under investigation for conspiracy to commit plunder. David San Juan noted the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), ending operations Tuesday, has not prosecuted any “big fish.”