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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ex-DPWH Bulacan chief engineer Alcantara will not recant testimonies --lawyer

Ex-DPWH Bulacan chief engineer Alcantara will not recant testimonies --lawyer

Published Jan 13, 2026 04:34 pm
Former Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) testifies before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on September 1, 2025, during the inquiry into alleged ghost flood control projects. (Mark Balmores | MB)
Former Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) testifies before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on September 1, 2025, during the inquiry into alleged ghost flood control projects. (Mark Balmores | MB)
Resigned Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan district engineer Henry C. Alcantara will not recant his testimonies in the anomalous flood control projects.
In a statement, Alcantara’s lawyer Emil Karlo L. Joven said that reports on the recantations are “categorically false and misleading.”
Joven said: “For the consideration of the public, Engineer Alcantara entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Justice (DOJ) as a prerequisite for his regular admission to the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program, and is steadfastly committed to cooperating with the DOJ.”
He added that his client is committed to fulfilling the obligations under the MOA to assist authorities in the pursuit of truth and accountability.
He then pleaded with the public to remain vigilant in discerning news, as they should only get it from legitimate and verifiable sources.
At the moment, Joven said that Alcantara is giving deference to the panel of prosecutors as they evaluate his client’s statements and undergo the investigative process.
Alcantara's reported decision to recant his counter-affidavit came from a lawyer of Sen. Joel Villanueva, one of the legislators linked the anomalous flood control projects.
Earlier, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said that Alcantara’s reported recantation will place him (Alcantara) in hot water as his plea to be a state witness may be compromised.
Alcantara testified on Sept. 23, 2025 that he delivered P150 million as “kickbacks” to the aide of Villanueva in exchange for his help in "whatever future plans." But Alcantara admitted that Villanueva did not know that the money came from flood-control projects.
Alcantara’s allegations have been denied by Villanueva who has submitted a counter-affidavit before the DOJ.
At the same time, Alcantara alleged that he delivered money to the aides of resigned congressman Zalde Co at the latter's residence in Pasig City and at the parking lot in Taguig City.
Other senators identified by Alcantara include Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla who have also denied the allegations. Revilla had also submitted his counter-affidavit to the DOJ.
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