Ex-DPWH district chief pinned as mastermind of flood control bribery scheme

The Evolution of Ex-DPWH District Chief A Mastermind Behind Flood Control Bribery Scheme

In a shocking turn of events, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district chief Henry Alcantara has been implicated in a massive flood control bribery scheme. According to sworn statements filed by two former engineers, Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, Alcantara and his chief of staff, John Carlo Rivera, orchestrated the scheme that enabled lawmakers to receive billions of pesos in kickbacks.

The Scheme Unfolds

The affidavits submitted by Hernandez and Mendoza allege that Alcantara chose contractors, dictated percentage cuts, and turned legitimate flood control budgets into structured kickbacks. The operation was so sophisticated that even the most senior officials were unaware of its existence.

Alcantara coordinated directly with senators and congressmen who acted as proponents, deciding which projects would appear in the National Expenditure Program or the General Appropriations Act, and setting the exact share each participant would receive. Every large cash movement, ranging from P100 million to as much as P1.2 billion per run, was made on Alcantara's instruction.

The Key Players

John Carlo Rivera, Alcantara's chief of staff, was identified as the operation's logistics and records chief, who prepared and consolidated project summaries used for insertions, organized the packing of cash into boxes or luggage, instructed drivers, and coordinated drop-off points. Rivera maintained contemporaneous lists and digital screenshots showing the amounts due to each proponent and verified every delivery.

The lawmakers implicated in this scheme include Rep. Danny Domingo (1st district), Rep. Augustina Dominique Pancho (2nd district), and former representative Ambrosio Cruz Jr. (5th district). These lawmakers allegedly received a 6% pass-through share from every project collection routed through Alcantara's office.

The Brave Whistleblowers

Hernandez and Mendoza, the two former engineers who came forward with their allegations, have been hailed as heroes for their bravery in exposing this massive corruption scheme. In an interview, they revealed that they were indispensable handlers who made cash movements real.

Their testimonies, together with financial documents and communications records, are being vetted to ensure consistency and admissibility. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is finalizing cooperation agreements with whistleblowers, including former DPWH employees and private contractors, who have agreed to return portions of the money and testify against co-conspirators.

The Ongoing Investigation

The DOJ investigation has expanded to include Co, who is being linked to at least 16 flood control transactions involving multimillion-peso kickbacks. The DOJ is working with foreign financial intelligence units to trace and freeze assets possibly connected to these transactions.

Separately, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the filing of charges against former Senate president Francis Escudero, Makati Mayor Nancy Binay, and Romualdez for allegedly receiving kickbacks or political contributions from ghost and overpriced flood control projects.

A New Era of Accountability?

As the investigation continues to unravel this complex web of corruption, it remains to be seen how far-reaching the scandal will be. One thing is certain, however those responsible will face justice.

Will Alcantara's fall from grace mark the beginning of a new era of accountability in government? Only time will tell.

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Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

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