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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Alam nila 'yan, malalaki na sila': DPWH execs may face raps over gambling

'Alam nila 'yan, malalaki na sila': DPWH execs may face raps over gambling

Published Sep 3, 2025 03:19 pm
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro holds a press briefing at Malacañan on Aug. 27, 2025. (Betheena Unite)
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro holds a press briefing at Malacañan on Aug. 27, 2025. (Betheena Unite)
Officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) allegedly involved in gambling in casinos may face either administrative or criminal cases, Malacañang said.
They might face raps under Republic Act No. 6713 or the Philippine Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Charges may either be administrative or criminal, Castro said. However, the case is now under the supervision of DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.
"Unang-una po, kung inamin po niya ito, siyempre ito naman  ay under na po kay Secretary Vince Dizon. Maaari po itong makasuhan under RA 6713, depende pa po kung ano pa iyong maaari pa niyang nagawa, can be administrative case, can be criminal case, depende po sa kanyang mga nagawa (First of all, if he has admitted this, of course, this now falls under Secretary Vince Dizon. They may be charged under RA 6713, depending on what else may have done — it could be an administrative case, it could be a criminal case — depending on the actions)," Castro said.
"Pero hindi po natin pangungunahan kung ano ang magiging desisyon dito ni Secretary Vince Dizon (But we will not preempt whatever decision Secretary Vince Dizon will make on this matter)," she added.
The Palace official also stressed that public officials no longer have to be told about what they must not do because they are fully aware of it.
She further said that government officials must know that they must have integrity.
"Alam po nila iyan, hindi na po sila dapat pagsabihan. Kahit po iyong online gambling, hindi pupuwede iyon, bawal po iyon. So, malalaki na po sila, responsibilidad nila iyan na dapat matino silang public official (They already know that, they shouldn't have to be reminded. Even online gambling is not allowed — it’s prohibited. So, they’re adults, and it’s their responsibility to conduct themselves properly as public officials)," Castro said.
During a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s motu proprio inquiry, former Bulacan First Engineering District Office engineer Henry Alcantara conceded that he failed to exercise due diligence in signing documents related to ghost projects, and admitted that he entered casinos two to three times a month, sometimes with fellow DPWH engineers.

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