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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Total of P20-M in cash turned over to DOJ by contractor Sally Santos

Total of P20-M in cash turned over to DOJ by contractor Sally Santos

Published Dec 23, 2025 02:59 pm

At A Glance

(UPDATED)
A contractor, who has been charged in “ghost” flood control projects in Bulacan, has turned over P20 million in cash to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
DOJ Spokesperson Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez said that Sally Santos of Syms Construction Trading handed over P15 million to the DOJ last Monday, Dec. 22, in addition to the P5 million she delivered last Dec. 5.
The P20 million had been deposited with the bank, he said.
Martinez explained that the money Santos turned over was part of the restitution process under the memorandum of agreement (MOA) she signed with the DOJ.
Santos is currently facing five cases before the DOJ for her alleged involvement in “ghost” government flood control projects in Bulacan, particularly in the towns of Pandi and Balagtas.
The charges filed against her were malversation of public funds through falsification under Article 217 in relation to Article 171 Paragraph 4 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC); perjury under Article 183 of the RPC; and violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Santos has also been charged by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) with tax evasion involving P14 million.
Aside from her, also charged by the BIR were Syms Construction and IM Construction Corporation and their responsible officers.
Aside from the P15 million, the DOJ received last Dec. 19 more than P71 million from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara, on top of the P110 million he surrendered last Nov. 28.
Last Dec. 16, DWPH Regional Director Gerard P. Opulencio, the former head of the DPWH National Capital Region (NCR) surrendered P40 million in cash to the DOJ.
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