The Office of the Ombudsman has launched a formal investigation into three former undersecretaries over alleged money-laundering activities, the agency confirmed this week.
Armored Vans and Red Flags
The officials under scrutiny are Roberto Bernardo, formerly of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); Adrian Bersamin, formerly in the Office of the Executive Secretary; and Trygve Olaivar, formerly of the Department of Education.
Ombudsman Boying Remulla said the probe was prompted by Bernardo’s own testimony before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, in which he described a scheme for moving government funds through armored vehicles. According to Bernardo, funds intended for public-works projects were allegedly transferred from one armored van to another — a system the Ombudsman called suspicious. Remulla emphasized that these were public funds, meant for contractors, not private gain.
If proven, the allegations could constitute serious offenses, as money laundering involving public funds undermines trust in government operations. The investigation also raises concerns about the potential diversion of infrastructure funds, which could affect the transparency and quality of national development projects. The case comes amid wider scrutiny of public-sector financial flows, including ongoing asset-freeze orders tied to other corruption probes.
Following the Trail
The Ombudsman is now gathering evidence and testimony to establish criminal liability and may coordinate with financial authorities such as the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to trace money trails, frozen accounts, and other suspicious transactions. Public interest is expected to be high, given the seniority of the officials involved and the potential scale of the alleged misuse of billions in public funds.
