Bernardo to skip hearing; court orders condition check in hospital

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan on Wednesday ordered its medical officer to verify the condition in the hospital of state witness and former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who will skip several hearing dates for the bail hearing of former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and his co-accused due to illness.

Associate Justice Karl Miranda, in an order furnished to the media on Wednesday, directed Dr. Warlin Basuel, Medical Officer IV of the Sandiganbayan, to conduct an immediate “ex parte” verification at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

The prosecution has submitted a medical certificate issued by the hospital. 

READ: Ex-DPWH Usec Bernardo implicates new names in flood control mess

The medical certificate states that Bernardo “is suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis, follicular pharyngitis, and acute bronchitis and is currently being treated in the Asian Hospital and Medical Center” and that he would need bed rest for five days.

“Notwithstanding the submission of said medical certificate, the court finds it imperative to verify the veracity and gravity of [Undersecretary] Bernardo’s condition, and to determine whether his illness is of such a serious nature as to physically incapacitate him from testifying under oath as scheduled,” the order said.

“Should the court find the excuse unjustified or the illness feigned, it shall issue the appropriate compulsory processes under the Rules of Court, including, but not limited to, the issuance of a warrant of arrest, without prejudice to the witness’s citation for indirect contempt,” the order further said.

Basuel is directed by the court to submit a written report on his findings.

Earlier, Prosecutor Ma. Cristina Marallag-Batacan informed the anti-graft court’s Third Division that Bernardo “will be unable” to testify “on the ground that he is currently indisposed,” as cited by the order.

Last week, state witness and former Department of Public Works and Highways engineer Henry Alcantara told the court that he got from Bernardo the information that Revilla allegedly got a 30-percent “commitment” or kickback to the P92.8-million project in Pandi, Bulacan, which was found to have no visible structures.

Revilla’s lawyer, Reody Anthony Balisi, said the former senator is categorically denying that he received such a commitment. 

To recall, Bernardo told the Senate blue ribbon committee last year that, in 2024, he allegedly delivered P125 million to the residence of Revilla. Also, Bernardo’s aide allegedly delivered another P250 million to Revilla before the 2025 elections. 

Revilla’s lead legal counsel, Francesca Senga, has said the senator denied such accusations, calling it  “hearsay” which she said came from an “unbelievable and unreliable source.”

READ: Revilla lawyers hit ex-DPWH exec’s ‘evolving’ testimonyRevilla already posted a P90,000 bail for his graft case, but he remains in jail since his malversation case is non-bailable. His bail hearing will last until April 24. /das /atm