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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Custody of ex-Bulacan DPWH head Alcantara, now a state witness, transferred to DOJ

Custody of ex-Bulacan DPWH head Alcantara, now a state witness, transferred to DOJ

Published Jan 21, 2026 02:22 pm
The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed the transfer today, Jan. 21, of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara from the Senate to the custody of the Witness Protection Program (WPP).
But DOJ Spokesperson Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez said that “only the WPP is privy to the exact location where Alcantara will be held in custody.”
Earlier, DOJ Acting Secretary Frederick A. Vida said he is looking to have Alcantara transferred to the department’s custody within this week.
Vida recounted that, during the hearing held by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Monday, Jan. 19, “the Senate has expressed their intention to let go of the custody of Alcantara.”
“Remember they are critical witnesses and they have very important pieces of evidence for us to prove our case against the accused” in the flood control cases, he explained.
Alcantara is one of the four state witnesses of the DOJ in the flood control cases.
The other witnesses are former DPWH undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo, DPWH Regional Director Gerard P. Opulencia, and Sally Santos of Syms Construction Trading.
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