INIULAT ni Roberto Bernardo, dating undersecretary for operations ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee nitong Huwebes, Setyembre 25, na nagdeliver siya ng P160 milyong kickback — 20 porsiyento ng tinatayang 800 milyong proyekto kay Maynard Ngu, malapit na associate ni Sen. Francis Escudero.
Dahil dito, nagbigay ng kanyang pahayag si Sen. Escudero na pinasisinungalingan ang paratang na tumanggap siya ng nasabing halaga.
”I vehemently deny the malicious allegations and innuendos made by former in today’s Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. By his own admission, he never had any contact with me directly regarding this matter — and I will prove that he is lying about my alleged involvement.
“It seems like there is a well-orchestrated plan to attack the Senate and its members to destroy and discredit the institution and to divert the public’s attention from the real perpetrators.
”Puro talaga senador ang tinuturo?! Nasaan si Zaldy Co? Nasaan na si Rep. Martin Romualdez sa lahat ng ito? Nasaan ang mga kasabwat nya?! Kung babasehan natin ang testimonya ni Usec. Bernardo, wala sila lahat kasalanan o kinalaman dito. Di naman ata ito kapani-paniwala.
“Sobra naman nang paglilihis at paglayo nila sa tunay na salarin ang sarswelang ito.
“Maging ganun pa man, haharapin at lalabanan ko ito at maghahain ng karampatang demanda laban kay Usec. Bernardo sa mga binitiwan nyang walang saysay at basehan na paratang.
“For more than 27 years in public service, I have never once been charged with corruption. That record speaks for itself. I believe that when all the facts are revealed, my name and my service will remain untarnished.”