DPWH Engineer Allegedly Lost Hundreds of Millions in Casino Amid Flood Control Corruption Scandal

📷: Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson

A district engineer from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) First Engineering District in Bulacan allegedly lost hundreds of millions of pesos in a Manila casino, according to revelations made by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson in a privilege speech delivered Wednesday.

Lacson exposed what he called the “most notorious” flood control anomalies in Bulacan, citing nearly 30 ghost projects and naming former District Engineer Henry Alcantara and former Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez as key figures in the scheme.

“According to the contractors and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials who personally spoke with me and my staff, these two are almost the same in their love for money,” Lacson said.

“There were even reports that one of them has lost hundreds of millions in a casino here in Manila,” he added.

The senator said that under the leadership of Alcantara and Hernandez, 28 flood control projects were funded in 2024 despite inconsistencies in specifications, designs, and lengths.

Only 40% of Flood Control Funds Reach Projects

In his speech titled “Flooded Gates of Corruption,” Lacson claimed that only 40% of the country’s flood control budget goes to actual implementation, with the rest siphoned off through kickbacks and systemic corruption.

“Halimbawa, sa P100 million na pondo para sa flood control project, kung ibabawas ang maximum allowable deductions, P82 million ang matitira para sa proyekto. Pero hindi pa dito nagtatapos, Mr. President. Kakatayin pa ang budget para sa mga ‘lagay’, commissions, SOPs, at iba-iba pang terminong binubuo para sa shares ng mga korap,” Lacson said.

He detailed a breakdown of the alleged “pie-sharing” scheme:

“Mr. President, ang matitirang pondo para sa pagpapatayo ng proyekto ay napakasuwerte nang umabot sa 40% o 40 million pesos alinsunod sa ating halimbawang 100 milyong pisong pondo para sa proyekto,” Lacson emphasized.

Ghost Projects and Congressional Insertions

Lacson’s investigation, supported by DPWH insiders, contractors, and reports submitted to Malacañang’s Sumbong sa Pangulo platform, uncovered substandard and ghost flood control projects in Pampanga, La Union, Oriental Mindoro, and Bulacan.

He also flagged a “new style” of corruption involving:

• Repeated annual funding for completed structures with no visible repairs or upgrades
• Funding for flood control projects that deteriorated just months after completion
• Congressional insertions for flood control projects
• Use of unprogrammed funds under the Special Purpose Fund, despite complex procedures

Lacson said his office conducted case studies across the country to validate the scheme.

The DPWH has yet to issue an official response. As of writing, no formal charges have been filed against the named officials. (ZIA LUNA)