MANILA — Alleged kickbacks from government infrastructure projects surged to 25 percent from the previous 20 percent following the election of Leyte congressman Martin Romualdez as House Speaker in 2022, according to Alcantara, who claimed that former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co dictated the increase in commissions.
Alcantara alleged that the five-percentage-point increase marked a significant escalation in the commissions supposedly demanded in exchange for securing government funding for infrastructure projects, particularly in Bulacan.
He said the alleged arrangement began in September 2021, when former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo introduced him to Co.
During their initial dealings, Alcantara claimed, they discussed the allocation of government funds for infrastructure projects in Bulacan in exchange for a 20-percent commission.
However, the alleged kickback rate climbed to 25 percent in 2022, coinciding with Romualdez’s assumption of the House speakership.
Alcantara identified Co as the person who allegedly determined the commission rates, suggesting that the former party-list lawmaker played a central role in the purported arrangement involving infrastructure funding.
He clarified, however, that he had no direct personal dealings with Romualdez, stopping short of directly implicating the former Speaker in the alleged transactions.
The allegations raise questions about possible irregularities in the allocation of public infrastructure funds and whether government projects were subjected to inflated costs to accommodate commissions allegedly demanded by individuals involved in securing their funding.
The claims also place renewed scrutiny on the handling of infrastructure appropriations during the period covered by Alcantara’s allegations.
However, the alleged kickback arrangements, including the purported increase from 20 percent to 25 percent, have not been independently verified. The report does not establish that Romualdez authorized, participated in or benefited from the alleged transactions.
No responses from Romualdez, Co or Bernardo to Alcantara’s allegations were provided in the original report./PN
