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Mark Villar says Alcantara 'organic' personnel of DPWH
Senator Mark Villar, former secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), said Tuesday that he knew Henry Alcantara, former district engineer at the Bulacan 1st District, as an “organic” employee of the agency.
“He’s organic sa [at the] Department of Public Works and Highways. He's been there, sa career,” Villar said in an ambush interview when asked how he knew Alcantara, one of the former DPWH employees implicated in the flood control controversy.
Former DPWH Sec. now Sen. Mark Villar appears before the ICI. Says former DPWH Engr. Henry Alcantara is an organic personnel of the DPWH. Alcantara says he Villar promoted him as district engineer @gmanews @24OrasGMA pic.twitter.com/nBdg6zLwpr
— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) October 7, 2025
Villar on Tuesday appeared before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) amid its investigation into anomalous flood control projects.
In 2019, Alcantara became the district engineer of Bulacan’s 1st Engineering District, assigned to the position by Villar who was then DPWH chief.
When asked in a previous hearing if he was chosen because Villar liked him, Alcantara replied, "Nag-apply lang po ako, your honor. [I just applied, your honor]."
READ: How Henry Alcantara rose through the ranks at DPWH
Villar served as the DPWH secretary from 2016 to 2021, under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
He said that he has “no direct or indirect ownership or controlling interest in any company participating in DPWH projects” and that none of his family members acquired any contracts during his stint as secretary. —KG, GMA Integrated News
