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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DPWH regional director returns P40-M to DOJ

DPWH regional director returns P40-M to DOJ

Published Dec 16, 2025 05:09 pm
A regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) turned over P40 million to the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of the conditions for his acceptance as a state witness in the “anomalous” flood control projects.
DOJ Acting Secretary Fredderick A. Vida presented to the media on Tuesday, Dec. 16, the P40 million that was turned over by DPWH Regional Director Gerard P. Opulencia, the former head of the DPWH National Capital Region (NCR) but who is now on a floating status.
“Ito ay commitment na magsa-uli ng P150 million (This is part of his commitment to return P150 million),” Vida said.
He said the P150 million is the agreed amount in the memorandum of agreement (MOA) that Opulencia signed with the DOJ to be accepted as a state witness.
At the moment, Vida said that Opulencia is provisionally admitted to the Witness Protection Program (WPP).
Prosecutor General Richard Anthony D. Fadullon said Opulencia is one of the respondents in the five cases that underwent preliminary investigation at the DOJ on “ghost” projects contracted by Syms Construction in the Bulacan towns of Balagtas and Pandi.
The charges filed in the five cases were malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents under Article 217 in relation to Article 171 Paragraph 4 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC); perjury under Article 183 of the RPC; and Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
In one of the cases, former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and resigned congressman and now fugitive from justice Zaldy Co have been named as additional respondents.
Fadullon said “‘yung kanyang testimonya ay mahalaga kaya kinonsider s’ya na pasukin at tanggapin sa loob ng programa (the testimony of Opulencia is important that’s why he was considered to be accepted in the Witness Protection Program).”
He explained that the testimony involved what actually happened in Bulacan.
Fadullon said that Opulencia did not receive money from the Bulacan projects.
He said the money returned by Opulencia was the amount he received when he was still the NCR director.
Last Nov. 28, former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara turned over to the DOJ 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 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.
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