Henry Alcantara claims P90M raised for Revilla from Bulacan flood project

Prosecution witness and former Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara on Monday said he raised P90 million worth of commitment or kickback fee for then Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. on the instructions of his former boss, ex-Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.

Alcantara made the testimony during the graft trial of Revilla and his six other co-accused over the P92.8 million Pandi, Bulacan flood control project, which was found non-existent.

Alcantara said he asked his driver, Erwin San Diego, to deliver the money to Bernardo in a hotel along Roxas Boulevard. He said the P90 million was collected by his subordinates in the DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office from contractors.

“I was able to raise it (P90 million) from advance payment of contractors. I instructed him (San Diego) [to deliver them to Usec Bernardo],” Alcantara said.

Alcantara said the P90 million was delivered using four to five bank boxes containing around P20 million each.

However, he said was not sure if Revilla indeed received all P90 million.

Likewise, Alcantara told the anti-graft court that he signed off on documents that authorized payments for the P92.8 million Pandi, Bulacan project because his subordinates, who are co-accused of Revilla in the graft case, submitted to him reports showing that the P92.8 million Pandi project is progressing and was, in fact, completed.

Alcantara also testified that the Statement of Work Accomplishment and Monthly Certificate of Payment were signed off by the accused then Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez, as well as ex-DPWH Engineers Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig and Emelita Juat.

DPWH finance section chief Juanito Mendoza and Bulacan First District Engineering Office cashier Christina Pineda, both respondents, signed off on the List of Due and Demandable Accounts Payable - Advice to Debit Account alongside Alcantara.

Asked why he signed off on such documents that authorized payments for the Pandi project even if he did not make the inspection himself, Alcantara replied, “Yes [I signed them off] because I trust the reports they submitted to me," referring to his subordinates.

"Meron pong mga pictures [na pinakita sa akin]. If I knew [that it was a ghost project], I would not have signed it," Alcantara added. —LDF, GMA News