P5B in ‘kickbacks’ taken from DPWH project funds, witness tells court

MANILA, Philippines — A former staff member of dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official Henry Alcantara said the latter had collected at least P5 billion in kickbacks on behalf of certain lawmakers and other officials who served as “proponents” of flood control projects.

Carlo Rivera testified before the Sandiganbayan on Tuesday as a prosecution witness at the bail hearing for the P7.4-billion plunder case against former Speaker Martin Romualdez,

According to Rivera, his former boss “committed” that much amount from the funds intended for DPWH projects in Bulacan province between 2022 and 2025.

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Alcantara was then the DPWH district engineer in Bulacan’s first district until he was dismissed in September last year. He was later admitted as state witness in January.

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READ: Martin Romualdez arrested in hospital for plunder

Romualdez, a Leyte congressman and cousin of President Marcos, is accused of amassing kickbacks worth P7.44 billion from public works funds during his speakership from 2022 to 2025. The Sandiganbayan’s Third Division is currently hearing his petition for bail.

Not among ‘proponents’

During cross-examination by Romualdez’s defense lawyer Ronald Solis, Rivera said the former Speaker was not included among the project proponents mentioned by Alcantara in their conversations.

READ: Martin Romualdez pleads not guilty for plunder

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The witness instead named Romualdez’s coaccused and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, as well as detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, detained former Sen. Bong Revilla, and former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo as being among the so-called proponents.

Coordinated the delivery

But during his turn at the witness stand on Oct. 19, Alcantara said the “commitments” drawn from the public works funds rose from 20 percent to 25 percent after Co became chair of the House committee on appropriations and Romualdez became Speaker.

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Alcantara then said Co did not provide an explanation for the increase.

Rivera said he personally coordinated the delivery of the money to their intended recipients. /cb