Businessman and technology executive Maynard S. Ngu allegedly received at least ₱280 million in two tranches in early 2025 as part of a supposed 20% kickback from flood control and infrastructure projects linked to Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, according to testimony presented at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Friday, Nov. 14.
Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo expanded his earlier allegations, naming Ngu — founder and CEO of Cherry Mobile and former Special Envoy to China — as the central figure who supposedly coordinated the funneling of funds earmarked for Escudero.
Bernardo said Ngu contacted him in 2024, shortly after Escudero assumed the Senate presidency, asking for a list of projects “for Senator Chiz Escudero.”
According to Bernardo, the combined value of these projects reached ₱1.4 billion, all supposedly intended as insertions in the national budget attributable to Escudero.
He testified that Ngu had communicated the expected arrangement: a 20% “commitment” from the total amount.
Bernardo said DPWH officials collected the alleged kickback funds from district and regional engineers and delivered them to him at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.
Bernardo testified that he personally delivered two tranches of cash to Ngu in early 2025 at the Cherry Mobile Building on Apacible Street in Manila, the headquarters of Ngu’s business operations.
He said the amounts were ₱160 million in the first delivery and ₱120 million in the second delivery.
Both, according to Bernardo, were intended “para kay Senator Chiz Escudero,” with Ngu allegedly functioning as the intermediary.
Bernardo also described how he first met Ngu in political circles in 2013, saying the businessman routinely handled large campaign donations and distributed mobile phones to candidates.
He added that in 2022, Ngu again approached him for help raising campaign funds, allegedly strengthening their working relationship as Ngu pushed the interest of Escudero.
Ngu contributed ₱30 million to Escudero’s 2022 campaign, based on earlier public records.
In 2023, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Ngu Special Envoy to China for Trade, Investments, and Tourism, further elevating his stature in business and political circles.
Escudero has categorically denied any involvement in the alleged scheme, while Ngu has not issued any public response to the expanded allegations.
The Blue Ribbon Committee is expected to summon additional DPWH officials and may move to subpoena financial records, hotel logs, and communications as lawmakers determine whether criminal charges — such as bribery, plunder, or violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act — may be pursued.
