DPWH asks AMLC to freeze P500M luxury cars of those linked to flood control mess

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has requested the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze nearly half a billion pesos worth of luxury vehicles of personalities involved in alleged anomalous flood control projects.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), GMA Integrated News’ Joseph Morong reported that the DPWH sought the AMLC’s aid in freezing a total of P474,483,120.00 worth of motor vehicles registered to 26 individuals named in the ongoing probe into the flood control projects corruption scandal.

Among them are former DPWH Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara, dismissed DPWH assistant engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, and contractor Pacifico Discaya.  

BREAKING: DPWH asks AMLC to freeze nearly P500M worth of vehicles of personalities involved in anomalous flood projects @gmanews @24OrasGMA pic.twitter.com/HRucagHgUu

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) September 24, 2025

Among those mentioned, Hernandez has already surrendered one of his luxury vehicles to the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to cooperate in its investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects. 

At a press briefing in Manila on Tuesday, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the DPWH is requesting the AMLC to freeze the vehicle assets to prevent it from being disposed of through sale.

“At kung meron mga kababayan tayo na nakikipag-transaksyon dito at gustong bumili ng mgasasakyan na ‘to magdalawang isip kayo kasi pati kayo madadamay dito pagkabinili niyo itong mga assets, mga sasakyan na ito,” Dizon said.

(If there are any of our countrymen who are transacting about the vehicles, think twice because you too will be implicated in this once if you buy these vehicles.)

“‘Wag niyo pong bibilin ang mga asset na ‘yan dahil malamang mapi-freeze na ‘yan,” he added.

(Don't buy it because they will probably be frozen.)

Alcantara, meanwhile, on Tuesday read before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee his sworn statement on the alleged ghost and substandard flood control projects and the billions of pesos in kickbacks allegedly received by government officials and private contractors.

During the probe, he admitted working with Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo in giving commissions off flood control projects to the camps of Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva , former Senator Bong Revilla, Jr., Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, and former Caloocan representative Mitch Cajayon.

Speaking at the Senate plenary later in the day, Villanueva and Estrada both denied involvement in the controversy. 

For his part, Revilla told reporters that he has "nothing to do with any of that," referring to Alcantara's allegations. 

Co has also dismissed allegations at the senate as "false and baseless."

Discaya claimed in the senate probe that the bidding process for government projects is usually rigged as the winning contractors are already predetermined. He said that so-called “takers” or owners of the projects have already been in touch with the Bids and Awards Committee to secure the project or they would pay advances to the congressman. 

The DPWH has already requested the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Registration Authority (LRA), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to hand the agency a full inventory of motor vehicles, lands, water vessels and even aircraft registered under the names of DPWH officials and several contractors.

DPWH also asked AMLC to freeze the air assets registered to companies linked to Co and his brother, Christopher, and those registered to Misibis Aviation & Development Corp., led by the former House appropriation chair's son, Michael Ellis.

Dizon said the DPWH is submitting the list of the air assets to the AMLC for possible freezing. 

Lavish lifestyle

During the briefing, Dizon also revealed a list of 10 DPWH regional directors and district engineers issued with show cause orders to explain their supposed lavish lifestyle and involvement in substandard projects.

The DPWH chief said those issued with show cause orders were given five days to explain or else they will be slapped with administrative cases.

Dizon reveals list of DPWH officials and personnel issued with show cause orders over alleged lavish lifestyle and involvement in substandard projects. pic.twitter.com/ijvFidtBq4

— Ted Cordero (@Ted_Cordero) September 24, 2025

“Kung may ebidensya na kasabwat sila sa maanomalyang proyekto lahat ‘yan ay mananagot at isa-submit natin sa ICI,” Dizon said.

(If there is evidence that they are complicit in an anomalous project, we will hold them all accountable and submit it to ICI.)

“Isa-submit din sa ICI ang kanilang mga pangalan for potential criminal cases,” he said.

(Their names will also be submitted to the ICI for potential criminal cases.) —Ted Cordero/ VAL, GMA Integrated News