MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) reported that more than PHP611 million has been returned to the government in connection with the controversial ghost flood control projects, including PHP290 million from former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

According to a report from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) provided to reporters, Bernardo surrendered PHP140 million of the PHP290 million on March 10. He returned the remaining balance in five tranches between Jan. 13 and Feb. 13, the report added.

Other restitutions include PHP181.379 million from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer Henry Alcantara, out of PHP300 million he is required to return, PHP120 million from former DPWH official Gerard Opulencia, and PHP20 million from contractor Sally Santos last December.

“As for the amount, we know that previously, what we reported was at PHP360 million. This amount has since increased to PHP611 million. This covers not just the amount surrendered already through restitution with the department, but also those which were previously assigned by Usec. Bernardo specifically to the department [of Justice],” DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said.

Martinez added that the total includes previously frozen or valuable assets that could not initially be liquidated but were later valued and considered part of the restitution.

The recovered funds mark a significant increase in the DOJ’s efforts to recoup public funds misappropriated in the ghost flood control projects.