Witness reveals DPWH ‘in-house’ contractors

MANILA, Philippines — Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Henry Alcantara of the Bulacan First District Engineering Office on Monday testified about the existence of “in-house” contractors in his former office.

Alcantara, a key figure in the multibillion-peso flood control anomaly who is now a state witness, took the witness stand before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division, which is hearing the graft case against former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and his coaccused in connection with an alleged P92.8-million “ghost” project in Pandi, Bulacan.

According to Alcantara, the in-house contractors were his subordinates, former DPWH assistant district engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, who are Revilla’s coaccused in the case.

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READ: Sandigan orders DPWH exec to bring sealed docs showing infra proponents

Borrowed license

Asked to further explain by Associate Justice Frederick Musngi, the Fourth Division chair, Alcantara replied: “They served as the project contractor,” adding that they borrowed the license of SYMS Construction, a private contractor, for their dealings.

His testimony confirmed the sworn statement of another state witness, SYMS Construction owner Sally Santos, who earlier told the Sandiganbayan Third Division that Hernandez was able to bag P1.8 billion worth of infrastructure projects using her firm’s license.

READ: Sandiganbayan OKs hospital arrest for ex-DPWH chief Bonoan

In exchange, Santos said she received a 3-percent “royalty” fee for each project. Revilla is facing a malversation case in the said division over the same project in Pandi, Bulacan. The law prohibits contractors from lending their licenses.

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Alcantara also admitted that at times, he lent Hernandez and Mendoza the capital for their scheme.

“Those are my people. I loved them. I also helped them,” he said when asked by state prosecutor Maria Christina Marallag-Batacan to confirm the in-house contracting.

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Advance payments

Responding to questions from Musngi, Alcantara said Hernandez also provided advance payments for infrastructure projects, from which they sourced the “kickbacks” for project proponents, usually lawmakers.

Alcantara further revealed that he managed to raise P90 million from private contractors as Revilla’s share of kickbacks.

He said the money, which was placed in four to five “bankers boxes,” was delivered to Diamond Hotel by his driver, who turned it over to former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, also a state witness. Each box can contain up to P20 million in cash.

Asked by Associate Justice Arthur Malabaguio if he was certain the amount went to Revilla, Alcantara replied: “Supposed to be.”

“It’s only Usec Bernardo who can confirm?” Malabaguio inquired, next to which Alcantara said: “Yes, your honor.”

Bernardo earlier told the antigraft court’s Third Division that he delivered P500 million to Revilla, with the money placed in 15 bankers boxes and a paper bag.

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Musngi said it would be “interesting” to hear the testimony of Bernardo, but state prosecutors have yet to say when he would appear before the Fourth Division. /cb