Alcantara says he gets 2% cut from Co’s alleged kickbacks as ‘lambing’

MANILA, Philippines — State witness and former Public Works Undersecretary Henry Alcantara on Tuesday told the Sandiganbayan that he got a 2 percent cut as “lambing” (gentle request) from alleged kickbacks for former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.

Alcantara mentioned this in testimony before the anti-graft court’s Third Division during former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s bail hearing for his plunder case.

The former speaker’s charge stems from alleged kickbacks from infrastructure projects worth P7.44 billion. 

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According to Alcantara, he submitted a list of projects to former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co in exchange for alleged kickbacks.

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Initially, he said the alleged kickbacks of Co were pegged at around 20%, but it was later increased to 25% during the time of Romualdez.

READ: Alcantara: 20% kickback began in 2022, hiked during Romualdez’ time

Alcantara said Co did not provide a reason for the increase.

During her cross examination, Romualdez’s lawyer Thea Daep, asked Alcantara if he requested a 2 percent cut from Co, and he responded: “Naglambing ([I made] a gentle request).

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He said Co agreed with this 2 percent request.

Alcantara said the kickbacks from Co came from advance payment of contractors.

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Associate Justice Karl Miranda, Third Division chair, then asked Alcantara: “If the contractor will give an advance, how will they be able to recover the money?”

“That is the ‘kalakaran’ (rule), as a matter of trust,” Alcantara said in response. “That is a risk on their part, so they would be able to get a project.” /apl