A tech-billionaire who eventually became a government envoy, Maynard Ngu is now in the middle of a scandal regarding irregularities in flood control and other infrastructure projects.
Ngu, a businessman, has been linked to the issue last week, Sept. 25, with former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo alleging that he is the ‘bagman’ of Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, who was ousted as Senate President on Sept. 8.
As Bernardo pointed out in his testimony and affidavit, Ngu had asked him to submit a list of projects, which are to be funded through insertions in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Bernardo also testified under oath at the Senate blue ribbon committee that he personally met with Escudero twice at Cork, a high end wine bar in BGC.
At the first meeting with Escudero, Bernardo said the senator told him in Filipino: ‘I know the goings on in your department, tell your boss (the DPWH chief) to give me projects. (Alam ko ang kalakaran sa departmento mo sabihin mo kay sec na magbaba sa akin).’
The second meeting, also in Cork, with Escudero, Bernardo testified, came after the delivery of the supposed kickback from the projects that were inserted in the GAA. ‘Thank you,’ Bernardo quoted Escudero as telling him while shaking his hands.
The former official of the Department of Public Works and Highways said he had given Ngu the list and asked how they would proceed, revealing that they eventually agreed on a 20 percent kickback.
Bernardo stated that after the inclusion of the projects in the GAA, he delivered 20 percent of an estimated P800 million, or about P160 million, to Ngu, claiming that it was meant for Escudero.
Escudero denied the allegation.
‘I vehemently deny the malicious allegations and innuendos made by former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo 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,’ he said.
Escudero did not mention Bernardo’s testimony about meeting him in person in Cork.
Ngu had donated P30 million to Escudero’s campaign in 2022, becoming the second government contractor who made a donation for Escudero.
Based on the investigation conducted by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Ngu is the chief executive officer (CEO) of Cosmic Technologies Inc., a contractor of the Department of Education.
This, even when campaign donations from ‘natural and juridical persons who hold contracts or subcontracts to supply the government [.] with goods or services or to perform construction or other works’ are prohibited by law.
As the CEO of the company behind the local cellphone brand Cherry Mobile, Ngu likewise donated cellphones worth P1 million to the campaign of Sen. Robin Padilla in 2022, the PCIJ said in a report published on Sept. 18.
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He is also a co-owner of Cork Wine Bar and Shop, where Escudero and his wife, actress Heart Evangelista celebrated their marriage renewal last year.
Based on the account of Bernardo, it was at the bar where he met with Escudero in 2023, as instructed by Ngu.
‘I met with the latter (Escudero) in a private room at the said establishment. While we were drinking wine, he told me: ‘Alam ko naman ang galawan niyo diyan sa DPWH. Okay naman ako. Sabihin mo kay Sec (Manuel Bonoan) magbaba sa akin,’ he said.
Another meeting in Cork came where Escudero said ‘thank you,’ according to Bernarfo’s testimony.
It was in the same year when Ngu was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as special envoy to China for trade, investment and tourism.
Ngu, on Monday, Sept. 29, resigned from his post as independent director at Altus Property Ventures Inc.