State witness Henry Alcantara confirms kickbacks started before Romualdez was Speaker

The collection of "commitment fees" for lawmakers started before Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez became Speaker and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co became the chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, state witness Henry Alcantara said on Tuesday.

At Romualdez's bail hearing before the Sandiganbayan, the former Bulacan district engineer said it was during the time when Romualdez was Speaker when the kickbacks were allegedly increased from 20% to 25%.

Alcantara, who was also implicated in the flood control corruption scandal before returning millions of pesos and turning state witness, said Department of Public Works and Highways Usec. Roberto Bernardo who introduced him to Co in 2021.

Alcantara said that he delivered kickbacks to Co in three instances: February 2022, September 2022 and November 2023.

He testified that the delivery in February 2022 happened before Romualdez was elected Speaker of the House in July 2022.

20% to 25%

Alcantara said that the kickbacks were 20% of the project cost and sourced from contractors who colluded with each other to ensure that the government project will be awarded to the favored contractor who already paid the commitment fee.

The contractors will then be compensated when the funds for the government projects are released by the Department of Budget and Management.

Asked by the defense panel if he needed Romualdez for the release of the budget, Alcantara said, "No."

He said his transactions involving Co were conducted either directly or through Co’s staff, including Mark Ticsay and John Paul Estrada.

Co has denied receiving kickbacks from government projects.

Plastic boxes or suitcases?

“We normally put post-it on top of a durabox. The amount is around P30 million, P40 million, depending on the size of the box,” Alcantara said on Day 5 of the bail hearing.

Asked how durabox was replaced with suitcases, Alcantara said Co suggested the replacement because of durability issues.

“Kapag binubuhat po ang durabox, plastic kasi nasisira ang handle,” Alcantara said.

(When you carry the durabox with money, the handle easily breaks since it is just plastic.) —NB, GMA News