Henry Alcantara to Face Charges After Dismissal
HENRY ALCANTARA — The former Bulacan First District Engineer has been officially dismissed from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as part of the government’s crackdown on corruption involving ghost flood control projects. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed the dismissal on Thursday, saying this is just the first step in holding Alcantara accountable.
“He is now dismissed,” Dizon said in an interview. “And next week, I will ask the DPWH Legal to recommend filing of appropriate charges against Henry Alcantara. Well, obviously, criminal ito. Pagnanakaw ito e, P100 million… We will recommend filing of charges with the Ombudsman.”
Alcantara was previously placed under a 90-day preventive suspension while investigations were ongoing. Two other former DPWH officials, Bryce Hernandez and JP Mendoza, are also facing possible dismissal for their alleged involvement in the same scheme.
The controversy revolves around a ghost flood control project in Bulacan, where government funds were released for projects that were never completed or properly inspected. Alcantara admitted during a House Committee on Infrastructure hearing that he failed to personally inspect the projects, despite signing documents certifying their completion.
When questioned by Las Piñas Representative Mark Anthony Santos, Alcantara confessed under oath that instead of performing his duties, he frequently visited casinos two to three times a month. He even revealed that some of his colleagues from the DPWH District Office occasionally accompanied him.
Rep. Santos strongly criticized Alcantara, saying public funds were spent on projects without proper oversight. “Parang lumalabas po mas prinayoritize pa yung pagpunta nila sa casino, which is alam po nating bawal,” Santos said.
Santos also emphasized that government employees are strictly prohibited from gambling and warned that this case could be part of a larger problem within the government. He urged the committee to involve the Department of Justice, the Ombudsman, and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable.
Related Post: Ex-DPWH Engineer Skipped Inspecting Flood Control Projects to Gamble at Casinos