Manila, Sept. 25 -- Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo on Thursday joined the growing roster of protected witnesses being evaluated by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for possible state witness status.

"It's still for evaluation, but [Bernardo is] considered a protected witness," DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told reporters in an interview after meeting with Bernardo.

Bernardo, during a Senate testimony, has accused three incumbent and former senators of receiving kickbacks from him in connection with anomalous flood control projects.

Remulla clarified that a protected witness is still under evaluation on whether he or she qualifies as a state witness, which entails immunity from...