Senate transfers Henry Alcantara’s custody to DOJ

The Senate on Wednesday turned over the custody of former Department of Public Works and Highways Bulacan 1st district engineer Henry Alcantara to the Department of Justice.

This came days after the announcement of the DOJ that Alcantara has been admitted to the Witness Protection Program (WPP) and is now considered a state witness in the government’s investigation into the flood control controversy.

The vehicle carrying Alcantara—who was wearing helmet and protective vest—-left the Senate premises past 12:50 p.m. on Wednesday. 

In a message to reporters, Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said Alcantara will be transferred to the WPP.

“At this juncture, only the WPP is privy to the exact location he will be transferred,” he said.

Meanwhile, when asked if Alcantara will be staying at a safehouse, Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said he could not disclose the details.

He said that even though Alcantara’s custody has been transferred to the DOJ, he will still attend Senate hearings.

“The end here really is for cooperation for our witnesses. At ‘yun nga, kaya nga sila in-admit sa program. Sila ay nakikipagtulungan sa ating pamahalaan para mapatibay ag mag kaso at magkaroon ng successful na paglilitis,” he said in an ambush interview.

(The end here really is for cooperation for our witnesses. And that’s why they were admitted into the program. They are cooperating with our government to strengthen the case and have a successful trial.)

The former DPWH engineer had been detained at the Senate since September 18, 2025, when he was cited in contempt by the Blue Ribbon Committee. 

Last Thursday, the DOJ said that Alcantara, former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, and two others have been admitted to the WPP. 

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, chairman of the committee, on Monday expressed that he is amenable to turn over Alcantara to the DOJ.

Also on Monday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) served arrest warrants against former Bulacan first district engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza at the Senate. —AOL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News