MANILA – A former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official dropped bombshell allegations at the Senate on Tuesday, naming several lawmakers as supposed beneficiaries of kickbacks tied to flood-control and infrastructure projects.
Henry Alcantara, the dismissed district engineer from Bulacan, retracted his earlier denials and admitted before the Senate blue ribbon committee that he personally handled payoffs meant for senators Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva, Ako Bicolâs Cong. Zaldy Co, and other officials.
Alcantara, appearing uneasy during questioning, supported earlier testimonies from his subordinates Brice Ericson Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza.
Both had previously claimed that Estrada and Villanueva received cuts of up to 25 percent from projects they endorsed.
Alcantara pointed to his former superior, then Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, as the one who managed the transactions with legislators.
The sacked engineer alleged that Co, who once chaired the House appropriations committee, was behind the release of P35.24 billion worth of projects for his district beginning 2022, with P14 billion coursed through in 2024 alone.
He further claimed that he had turned over P150 million in 2023 to one of Villanuevaâs staff in a Bocaue rest house. The sum, Alcantara said, was the senatorâs supposed share for facilitating P600 million worth of flood-control works.
Still, he added that Villanueva had asked instead for multipurpose facilities worth P1.5 billion, and âdid not know that the money came from flood control projects.â
As for Estrada, Alcantara said the lawmaker had extended P355 million in projects, consistent with Hernandezâs testimony.
He also mentioned that payouts had been given to former senator Ramon âBongâ Revilla Jr. during his time as chair of the Senate public works committee.
Meanwhile, documents from US Customs and Border Protection confirmed that Co traveled to New York on August 26 and departed the city on September 13. His current location is unclear, though House officials earlier said he had left for medical treatment.
The timing of his overseas trip has stirred more questions, as contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya previously identified him as among those who allegedly profited from the scheme. Co has strongly rejected these accusations.
House Speaker Faustino âBojieâ Dy III has warned that steps may be taken if Co fails to appear at the Batasan within 10 days of the September 18 directive.
The House ethics committee, led by 4Ps party-list Rep. JC Abalos, is expected to discuss the issue soon after Dy canceled Coâs travel authority./PN
