By Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday hit a former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district official for negligence in approving anomalous flood control projects and for admitting to frequenting casinos while in government service.
At the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s motu proprio inquiry, former Bulacan First Engineering District Office engineer Henry Alcantara conceded that he failed to exercise due diligence in signing documents related to ghost projects.
“May mga project na nabayaran without my knowledge… Aaminin ko may negligence on my part (There were projects that were paid without my knowledge… I admit there was negligence on my part),” Alcantara said.
Ejercito questioned Alcantara’s lifestyle and that of his successors, engineers Brice Hernandez and JP Mendoza, citing reports of luxury watches, expensive cars, irregular office hours, and regular casino visits.
“How can a district engineer afford that kind of lifestyle? Nakita ang relo, naka-Patek Philippe. May information tayo pumapasok daw ito ng naka-Ferrari pa (We saw a luxury watch, a Patek Philippe. We have information that he even came in driving a Ferrari),” he said.
Alcantara admitted that he entered casinos two to three times a month, sometimes with Hernandez and Mendoza.
“Inaamin ko po, ako po ay nakakapasok sa casino, Your Honor (I admit, I do enter casinos, Your Honor),” he said.
Ejercito urged authorities to secure closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage to verify reports of million-peso bets and pushed for the immediate arrest of Hernandez and Mendoza, who failed to attend the hearing despite subpoenas.
“Mukhang wala na ho ata silang planong sumipot (It seems they no longer have any plans of showing up)… So I suggest that the warrant of arrest be issued,” he said.
The senator vowed to pursue accountability for ghost flood control projects in Bulacan and Mindoro provinces, stressing that erring officials must face sanctions.
He also backed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for lifestyle checks on DPWH officials, starting with regional and district engineers handling large budgets.
Ejercito likewise expressed support for newly appointed DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.
“He will need plenty of luck, perhaps even a miracle, to turn around the embattled department. But he can count on our support in this new assignment,” he said. (PNA)
