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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider P110-M in cash turned over to DOJ as 'part of kickbacks' from anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan

P110-M in cash turned over to DOJ as 'part of kickbacks' from anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan

Published Nov 28, 2025 04:33 pm
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday, Nov. 28, received from former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara P110 million which is part of the alleged P300 million in “kickbacks” he received from anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan.
The money in cash was turned over to Acting DOJ Secretary Fredderick A. Vida by Alcantara’s lawyer Emil Joven and witnessed by DOJ officials and representatives of the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Bureau of Treasury.
“Ito ay bahagi sa mga kondisyon, terms at pagpapakita ng good faith (This is part of the conditions and terms as well as a show of good faith),” Vida said.
He also said that Alcantara will help in the recovery of the misused public funds for the Filipinos to achieve justice.
During a press conference, Vida presented to the media at the DOJ the cash turned over by Alcantara.
He said the Land Bank will determine if there are counterfeits and if the amount is complete before submitting a report to the Bureau of Treasury which will issue an official receipt that the amount has been received.
He also said that Alcantara told him that the former district engineer had a hard time getting the money because he is detained at the Senate.
But Vida said he was assured that the remaining amount will be turned over before the year is over and the amount to be returned will be based on the sworn statements Alcantara executed.
“Sinusuri namin ‘yung salaysay kung makatotohanan o hindi at dito namin binabase ang restitution (We scrutinized his statements if these are truthful or not and this is how we will base the restitution),” he also said.
On the other hand, Vida assured that Alcantara will only be discharged of liability in certain cases but not in all cases involving the flood control mess.
He pointed out that DOJ does not give blanket immunity.
Vida noted that the P110 million was turned over after Alcantara and former public works and highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the DOJ concerning their provisional status in the Witness Protection Program (WPP).
Among those who have sought to become state witnesses in the flood control mess, only Alcantara and Bernardo are under their program, he said.
At the same time, Vida said several bank accounts containing more than P7 million that have been frozen by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) have been assigned to the DOJ and are now being processed for turn over to the department.
He added that the DOJ agrees with the position of Sen. Panfilo Lacson that Bernardo has to return P1 billion.
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