The former district engineer at the center of "ghost" flood control projects brouhaha in Bulacan rose from the ranks in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during the time of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Grilled during the House Infrastructure Committee (infra comm) hearing Tuesday, Sept. 2 was former district engineer Henry Alcantara.

He is being tagged for signing off payments to contractors for non-existent and substandard projects in Bulacan, including those that President Marcos publicly branded as fraudulent or incomplete.

Deputy Speaker and La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V underscored the need to establish what he called Alcantara’s “origin story”, given the pivotal role he handled.

“Sir, it was stated on record that you rose from the ranks. Nag-umpisa kayo job order (JO) until your current position. Tama ba? (You began as job order until your current position. Is that correct?)” Ortega asked Alcantara during the hearing of the Infra Comm on the flood control projects controversy.

“Yes, sir,” replied Alcantara, who also acknowledged working as assistant district engineer in Nueva Ecija in the past.

Ortega then zeroed in on the timeline, as he sought to establish the precise years when Alcantara held sway over Bulacan’s public works.

“Anong taon kayo nasa Bulacan (What year did you settle in Bulacan, sir if you can still recall?” the La Union solon asked.

“2019, Your Honor,” Alcantara answered. He later confirmed that his assignment in the province stretched until June 16, 2025, or when he was transferred.

Ortega noted that Alcantara’s tenure coincided with the period when billions were being poured into infrastructure under former president Duterte's "Build, build, build" program.

“So you started in Bulacan during the previous administration under secretary Mark Villar and under the previous administration, right?” he asked.

Alcantara replied, “Yes, your honor,” as he confirmed that his promotion to district engineer came during Villar’s watch as DPWH chief.

During the interpellation of Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr., Alcantara said that he began working at the deparment way back in 1994.

When Abante asked whether or not Alcantara’s promotion meant that he was close to Villar, the latter said, “Nag-apply lang po ako (I just applied for the position), your honor, that time.”

Later still, when Abante confronted Alcantara about the ghost flood control projects that no less than the President discovered, the district engineer didn’t hesitate in admitting fault on the matter.

"Hindi pa tapos pero nakalagay completed na. Kasalanan yan ng district engineer. Tama ba ko o mali? (The project weren't finished yet but they were marked as completed. That's the district engineer's fault. Am I right or wrong?) Abante said, to which Alcantara answered “Yes, your honor."

“Yun pala naman eh. Dapat talaga kasuhan ka. Tama? Tama ba ko mali? (There you go. You should be charged. Right? Am I right or wrong?)" the Manila solon asked, to which Alcantara again answered, "Yes, your honor."