2 DPWH Bulacan execs lost P300M each in casino gambling — Lacson

At least two officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bulacan lost over P300 million each in casino gambling, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Monday.

In a statement, Lacson revealed that one of the DPWH officials is a district engineer and the other is a minor functionary.

Based on the initial information he acquired, Lacson said both officials hold positions with a Salary Grade 19 or less.

"The two of them, as per my information, used aliases. They hid their true identities and used fictitious names," Lacson said.

"So you can just imagine the enormity of the corruption that is going on. This is only in Bulacan," he added.

The senator also said he relayed the information to newly appointed DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.

During the hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee earlier today, former Bulacan 1st district engineer Henry Alcantara admitted to playing in casinos along with his former assistant district engineer, Brice Hernandez.

Senator JV Ejercito said he was informed that Alacantara spent P30,000 to P50,000 in gambling.

Lacson also floated the idea of creating a measure that would penalize the lending and borrowing of licenses, as some DPWH officials allegedly borrow contractors' licenses to implement projects.

He pointed out that Hernandez and company resorted to forging the signatures of the inspection team.

"Walang nangyaring inspection pero may pirma so nabayaran. So ganoon kasama na, at ganoon kagahaman na. Kasi sa halip na substandard hindi na talaga ginawa para ang buong budget para sa project, nilaro sa casino," Lacson said.

(So there was no inspection but there are the signatures of officials who were paid. So this is how bad and greedy they have gotten. Instead of a substandard project, they did not implement it at all just so the entire budget for the project will go to their casino gambling.) —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News