NOT EVEN A tycoon, here or abroad, can declare having no liabilities, just assets. And in Senator Mark Villar’s December 2024 SALN (statement of assets, liabilities and networth) he declared a net worth of P1.262 billion and no liabilities whatsoever.
He resigned as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways on October 6, 2021 to run for Senate in the May 2022 elections.
In his assets are 14 properties like houses, lots and condominiums worth P349.14 million; personal properties like cash, investments and other personal assets worth P912.2 billion or a total of P1.262 billion.
Mark Villar’s wife, DIWA Partylist Rep. Emmeline Aglipay Villar, was appointed the “caretaker” congresswoman for Las Piñas (when Mark resigned to run for senator) from August 2016 to 2019, but she was not elected as a district representative. The position of representative for Las Piñas’ lone congressional district was eventually filled up by Mark Villar’s sister, Camille, who was elected in 2019 — and later on elected senator during the May 2025 national elections.
This may not seem surprising considering that his father, Manny Villar, has for so many years been a top billionaire from the Philippines – apparently since his dad has been in politics (congress and senate) from 1998 to 2013 and wielding such power and influence he could easily get all forms of concessions from the government. His wife, Cynthia, has been a senator for 11 years and a congressman for 9 years. She tried to return to the House last May 2025, but lost miserably in their bailiwick
Besides, their property businesses were more focused on the middle market, which is not too hard to sell.
Additionally, Villar reported business interests as a director of Himlay’s Realty Inc. and a stockholder in Major Asset Ventures Holdings, Inc. His family owns the publicly listed Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc., though this is not directly part of his personal SALN declaration.
BLUE RIBBON HEARING
But during the Senate Blue Ribbon hearing last Friday, resigned DPWH Secretary Roberto Bernardo claimed that Mark Villar exacted 50 percent commissions (nee kickbacks) for DPWH projects, during his term as DPWH chief.
Expectedly, he along with other lawmakers identified by Bernardo, denied such kickback allegations. The other names were former Senator Grace Poe, former Sen. Sonny Angara (now Education Secretary).
Bernardo claimed that when he became an assistant secretary in 2016, former DPWH Undersecretary Cathy Cabral was already in service. He alleged that Villar supposedly received commitments from DPWH when he was still head of the agency.
“The funding of all projects was cleared through Usec. Cabral for approval by Sec. Villar. From time to time, Usec. Cabral would ask me to submit a detailed list of projects regarding lump-sum fund allocations of DPWH, which she sometimes approves herself or forwards to Sec. Villar for approval,” Bernardo said.
“Among others, these include EDSA and other major road project applications, and maintenance of creeks and waterways. The commission from these approved projects was 10 percent and divided as follows: 50 percent to Carlo Aguilar, presumably for Sec. Mark Villar; 25 percent for Usec. Cabral; and 25 percent for myself,” Bernardo added.
DENIAL, AS USUAL
Villar said he stands by his “untarnished record” as a former DPWH secretary, representative, and now a senator.
“I vehemently and categorically deny the accusations made today in the Blue Ribbon Committee. Isa po itong malaking kasinungalingan (This is one big lie),” Villar said in a statement on Friday.
Villar then asked the public “to be discerning and not to rush judgment based solely on a person’s affidavit, which may be manufactured or tailored to fit his or other people’s convenience.”
Last Friday’s revelations were reiteration of his previous testimonies before BRC, where he was previously included as commitment (commissions) recipients: former senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay; Sen.Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Jinggoy Estrada; former Representatives Elizaldy Co (Ako Bicol), Mitch Cajayon-Uy (Caloocan), Rida Robes (San Jose del Monte); and former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and former Undersecretary Catalina Cabral.
But last Friday, he also linked former Sen. Grace Poe and incumbent Sen. Mark Villar, a former DPWH secretary, and former senator (now DepEd Secretary) Sonny Angara to the anomaly.
Angara, Revilla, Estrada and Escudero on Friday had separately denied Bernardo’s allegations.
OPERATIONAL SET-UP
Bernardo was appointed DPWH assistant secretary in 2016, during Villar’s time under the Duterte administration, and coursed the commissions for Villar through the latter’s cousin, Carlo Aguilar,
Bernardo said Cabral, who was in charge of infrastructure programming and planning, was then working closely with Villar “for the allocation, listing, and budgeting of all the DPWH infrastructure projects.”
“The funding of all projects was cleared through [Undersecretary] Cabral for approval by [Secretary] Villar. From time to time, [Undersecretary] Cabral would ask me to submit [a] detailed list of projects regarding lump-sum fund allocations of DPWH which she sometimes approves herself or forward to Secretary Villar for approval,” he said.
“Among others, these include Edsa and other major road project applications, [and] maintenance of creeks and waterways. The commission for these approved projects was 10 percent and divided as follows: 50 percent to Carlo Aguilar, presumably for [Secretary] Mark Villar; 25 percent for Undersecretary Cabral; and 25 percent for myself,” Bernardo added.
Bernardo did not provide documents or cite other instances that would support his accusations against Villar and his cousin, Aguilar.
SENATOR GRACE POE
With regards to the allegations hurled against Poe, Bernardo said that sometime in the third quarter of 2024 “a staff of the lady senator requested [Secretary] Bonoan, through me, if [Poe] can be accommodated in the DPWH NEP (National Expenditure Program]. [Secretary] Bonoan told me there is P500 million for [Senator] Poe and instructed me to ask the senator for a list of projects.”
He further claimed that Poe’s staff member, whom he identified as JY dela Rosa, had told him to coordinate the matter with one Mrs. Patron, a contractor who would later instruct him to prepare the list.
“Upon my instructions, [National Capital Region district] engineer Gerard Opulencia submitted a consolidated list of the following projects: one in Laguna and three in [the NCR],” said Bernardo, adding that the list of projects was later included in the NEP by Bonoan through Cabral.
“Later on, the said projects appeared in the GAA [General Appropriations Act] for 2025. There was a 20-percent commitment for Sen. Grace Poe. Mrs. Patron, a contractor, collected the commitment for [Poe] at Diamond Hotel from one of my aides,” Bernardo said.
ANGARA AND OLAIVAR
He again alleged that Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar received “deliveries” for Education Secretary and former Sen. Sonny Angara.
“Aside from the details I had earlier mentioned in my affidavit dated Sept. 25, [Undersecretary] Trygve and I also had transactions concerning [Senator] Angara between 2019 and 2024 where [Undersecretary] Trygve received deliveries representing 12 percent of the project of [Angara] when he was chairman of [the Senate] finance [committee],” said Bernardo.
Olaivar had denied Bernardo’s allegation.
Bernardo, reiterating his earlier testimony, said he and Olaivar discussed the unprogrammed appropriations supposedly for the Office of the Executive Secretary.
“Thereafter, [the] DPWH received a Special Allotment Release Order (Saro) which included projects worth P2.85 billion. The contract IDs for the projects worth P2.85 billion covered by the said Saro can be secured from the records of the DPWH Regional Office for Region III (Central Luzon) and the First District Engineering Office of Bulacan,” said Bernardo.
But Angara denied the allegations — “In my 21 years in government, we have never been involved in corruption,” Angara said in a statement. “We reject any insinuation made that we were involved in anomalous projects.”
REVILLA AND JINGGOY
In his Friday’s testimony, Bernardo reiterated his dealings with Revilla and Estrada in 2023 and 2024, with whom he claimed to have “close relationship” with both Revilla and Estrada.
“Sometime in the third quarter of 2024, Revilla and I met where he asked for a list of projects for funding ostensibly to help him in his national campaign. When Senator Revilla asked about the percentage of the commitment, I suggested either 20 percent or 25 percent, to which Senator Revilla said: 25 percent,” Bernardo recalled.
“Sometime in the last quarter of 2024, engineer [Henry] Alcantara collected the 25 percent commitment of about P125 million and informed me that the same was ready for turnover through engineer Gerard Opulencia,” he added.
Bernardo said he was told by Opulencia that the money was already in his vehicle. “After receipt of the 25 percent commitment, which were packed in six cardboard boxes, each containing at least P20 million, and one paper bag containing P5 million, I called up Senator Revilla to inform him the same is ready to be turned over to him,” he said noting that he went to the reelectionist senator’s house in Cavite in December 2024.
Before the start of the campaign period for national elective positions, he also directed one of his aides to deliver another P250 million to Revilla’s house. Revilla’s camp said Bernardo’s testimony should be taken with a grain of salt.
REVILLA RETALIATES
“There is an inherent danger in giving credence to the allegations of someone who has long undermined the law. Allowing a perpetrator to recast himself as a truth-teller does not strengthen our justice system; it compromises it,” said lawyer Maria Carissa Guinto, Revilla’s spokesperson.
“This development is disappointing but not surprising. Once again, Revilla is being subjected to political persecution by forces harboring ill will against him. He categorically denies all allegations against him,” said Guinto.
Litigation arising from irregularities and corruption is nothing new to Revilla who was previously charged for plunder over the so-called pork barrel scam.
The Sandiganbayan ruled to acquit Revilla but with a striking condition — that he should return the P124 million loot that was deposited by his chief of staff to his bank account.
To date, Revilla has yet to adhere to the order of the court.
JINGGOY AS USUAL
As for Estrada, Bernardo said: “Sometime in 2023, [Senator] Jinggoy requested [Secretary] Bonoan, through me, for projects worth P500 million. [Bonoan] agreed to give P450 million for the DPWH NCR building which [Undersecretary] Cathy Cabral included in the NEP for 2024 with an 18-percent commitment for [Senator] Jinggoy,” said Bernardo.
Sometime in the first quarter of 2025, Bernardo said Estrada once again asked him to get a 25-percent commitment for other DPWH projects.
“Alcantara then delivered to me the 25-percent commitment, approximately P213 million, which I delivered to [Senator] Jinggoy … in San Juan City,” said Bernardo.
As expected, Estrada denied all the allegations. “The claim that I supposedly received a percentage from these projects is baseless, reckless, and unsupported by any credible evidence whatsoever,” Estrada said.
“I have always acted with integrity as a legislator, and I remain committed to transparency and accountability in all my public duties. I will pursue every available legal remedy against those who persist in spreading false, defamatory, and malicious statements,” he added.
CHIZ AND NANCY TOO
Bernardo reiterated his allegation that Binay asked, through an aide, for a 15-percent commitment sometime in the last quarter of 2023. Binay had earlier denied the allegation.
Escudero, he said, through businessman Maynard Ngu, received P280 million, made in two deliveries early this year. Escudero said the allegations against him were not new and had been denied and refuted before.
“There is no direct evidence presented in the testimony of Bernardo linking Senator Chiz to any criminal act. Speculations and insinuations are not evidence. These are at best hearsay, lack basis, and are self-serving statements that will not stand in any court of law,” he said, noting that the allegations were “malicious and baseless.”
DISCAYA’S NARRATIVES
Contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya on Friday named several incumbent and former members of the House of Representatives and DPWH officials recorded in his payoff ledger, last Friday.
Among those who received commissions were Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo, Caloocan Rep. Dean Asistio, Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas, Quezon City Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar and Uswag Ilonggo Rep. Jojo Ang.
Former Undersecretary Terence Calatrava of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas and former DPWH Undersecretary Bernardo, were also mentioned.
These officials were among the 17 people who were earlier identified by Discaya as allegedly soliciting money from their companies after being awarded a government project. All these lawmakers and Calatrava had earlier denied Discaya’s accusation.
Discaya submitted what he called a “partial” ledger to the committee. He has been detained at the Senate since he was cited for contempt on Sept. 18.
Blue Ribbon Committee chair Sen. Panfilo Lacson told Discaya to secure the complete ledger which contained the names of all lawmakers he implicated in his previous testimony.
BONOAN’S AFFIRMATION
At the resumption of Blue Ribbon investigation, former DPWH Chief Manuel Bonoan read a second supplemental affidavit where he admitted facilitating alleged kickbacks for Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, former senator Grace Poe, former Caloocan Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy, San Jose del Monte Mayor Rida Robes and former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.
Bernardo previously tagged Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, former senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay, and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co amid the investigation into anomalous and ghost flood control projects.
In implicating Revilla, the former DPWH official said he prepared a list of projects for the former solon with 25% “commitments” or kickbacks worth P125 million. The money was allegedly delivered to Revilla’s residence in Bacoor, Cavite in December 2024 and was packed in six cardboard boxes, each containing P20 million, and one paper bag, containing P5 million. The former senator also allegedly received kickbacks worth P250 million in February 2025.
A spokesperson for Revilla dismissed Bernardo’s testimony, saying this “should be taken with a grain of salt.” She warned that “giving credence to allegations” of a supposed perpetrator who “recast himself as a truth-teller” compromises the justice system.
“This development is disappointing but not surprising. Once again, Revilla is being subjected to political persecution by forces harboring ill will against him. He categorically denies all allegations against him. These are outright fabrications intended to malign his reputation and to divert the attention of the public from the real culprits,” Revilla’s spokesperson, Atty. Maria Carissa Guinto, said in a statement.
VILLAR’S IMPRIMATUR
Bernardo said it is Cabral “with the imprimatur of Sec Mark Villar and later continued by Sec Manny Bonoan, who had control, at the DPWH level, to remove include, add, deduct, or modify insertions of items in the NEP for infrastructure or those pertaining to the DPWH”.
It is also Cabral who allegedly communicates and meets with lawmakers to inform them of their kickbacks and ask them for titles of projects they want to include in the DPWH budget.
Bernardo also said he allegedly delivered cash to Cabral’s house in Quezon City.
Bernardo noted that in 2023, 2024, and 2025, Cabral apportioned the budget ceiling for the DPWH “allocable NEP” among the districts. Although she would allegedly make it appear to be utilized, Bernardo said Cabral would supposedly reserve a substantial percentage for her and Bonoan’s preferred projects.
Bernardo had more direct knowledge of Bonoan’s alleged involvement. The former undersecretary teared up when he detailed Bonoan’s role, as he had a close relationship with his former boss.
“I treasure his (Bonoan’s) guidance and friendship over the years,” Bernardo said. From being sidelined during the Villar years he said Bonoan “entrusted me with more operational functions and let me work more closely with Usec Cabral.”
BONOAN’S MANEUVER
Bonoan started to ask him to submit lists of projects starting 2022, according to Bernardo.
How it goes is the district engineers, particularly from the notorious Bulacan First District Engineering Office (1st DEO), submit a list of projects to DPWH top officials. It’s Cabral, whether acting on behalf of Villar or Bonoan or just by herself, who “shall facilitate and ensure the inclusion of these projects in the NEP” (National Expenditure Program) or the proposed national budget. This means Cabral makes sure these projects will be funded.
Bernardo said that from 2022 to 2025, during Bonoan’s tenure until he resigned, “I handled for Sec Bonoan at least P5 billion per annum for at least the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, with an average of 15% commitment (aka kickback).”
Bernardo said the kickback percentage varied per occasion. In 2023, it was 10%; in 2024 it was 15%, and in 2025, it became 20%.
LION’S LOOT SHARE
He added that of the total kickbacks per project, Bonoan would get 75% while the remaining 25% would be split between Bernardo and Cabral.
“With respect to the commitments collected by Engineer [Henry] Alcantara narrated above, Sec Bonoan and I received a percentage. In many instances during budget deliberations, I was tasked by Sec. Bonoan to talk to legislators over their funding and other concerns, and to forward these concerns to Usec Cabral for action and resolution,” said Bernardo.
Bernardo also shared that Cabral and Bonoan would reserve some of the DPWH’s “allocable” budget “for their preferred projects.”
Allocable funds are available to fund Programs, Activities and Projects (PAPs). These are the funds available net of debt payment, salaries, and other mandatory expenses. In the DPWH, allocable funds are those set for districts considering each area’s ceiling. Those that fall outside of the district’s allocable funds are used for other DPWH projects.