Former Engineer Faces Fraud Allegations
Former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara is accused of intentionally defrauding the government by signing completion certificates for a P55-million flood control project in Baliuag that did not exist, officials reported. The case has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers, who say his actions reflect grave misconduct.
Bicol Saro party-list Representative Terry Ridon emphasized the seriousness of the charges, saying Alcantara might be trying to downplay his responsibility by claiming negligence to avoid plunder accusations. “We appreciate his candor in making all of these admissions. [But] I don’t think he can escape that plunder charge,” Ridon said, questioning how Alcantara could be a mere scapegoat when he was the head of the office and signed contracts and checks.
Alcantara’s Role in the Ghost Projects
Ridon highlighted that Alcantara holds actual, direct, and grave responsibility for the so-called ghost project in Baliuag. The P55-million reinforced concrete river wall in Barangay Piel was awarded to SYMS Construction Trading and was personally inspected by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last month.
Despite payments amounting to P49.3 million made to SYMS as of 2025, the project was found nonexistent. Marcos expressed dismay upon discovering this during his inspection. “How can you be a fall guy if you are the boss of the office? And you signed the checks, you signed the contracts?” Ridon added.
Additional Substandard Projects Revealed
Alcantara also admitted to approving a P94.6 million river protection structure in Bulusan, Calumpit, awarded to St. Timothy Construction Company, which was similarly found substandard during a presidential inspection. Another flood mitigation project in Calumpit, worth P74.6 million and contracted to Wawao Builders, is also under scrutiny.
Manila Representative Joel Chua presented documents during the House tri-committee hearing that questioned whether Alcantara personally reviewed these projects before declaring them complete. Alcantara admitted, “Your Honor, no,” explaining that certifications were issued by the project engineer and the implementing section chief instead.
Negligence or Intentional Fraud?
Alcantara initially defended himself by stating, “there were simply too many documents that go through my office every day. I do inspections, but not every single one.” However, lawmakers argue that this excuse does not absolve him of responsibility.
Ridon noted that Alcantara may have resigned himself to his fate, especially after confessing to signing documents for ghost flood control projects and admitting to being a regular at casinos, despite bans on government employees engaging in such activities. “I think it’s still not clear in his mind if his acts constitute plunder already… because when you claim to be merely negligent, you’re actually saying that you are not the most responsible,” Ridon said.
Speaking as a lawyer, Ridon stressed, “Alcantara being the district engineer of that office, he is the most responsible for the ghost project in Baliuag.”
For more news and updates on flood control project fraud, visit Filipinokami.com.
