MANILA – Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday criticized 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.

“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? 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.

“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.

“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 the President’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.

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is a special investigative body in the Philippine Senate tasked with investigating alleged wrongdoing in government. It was formally established in 1992 to strengthen the Senate’s oversight functions and promote transparency and accountability in public service. Its investigations often involve high-profile cases of graft and corruption.

Senate

The Senate is a legislative body that originated in ancient Rome as a council of elders advising the consuls. Today, it most commonly refers to the upper house of a bicameral legislature, such as in the United States, where it plays a key role in the lawmaking process.

Pasay City

Pasay City is a highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines, historically known as a fishing village before its official establishment in 1863. It is now a major economic and entertainment hub, home to the cultural center complex CCP and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the country’s primary gateway.

Department of Public Works and Highways

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is the engineering and construction arm of the Philippine government, primarily responsible for the planning, design, and implementation of public infrastructure projects. It was formally established in 1868 during the Spanish colonial period and has evolved through various reorganizations, most notably after the country’s independence. Its core mandate is the development and maintenance of a nationwide network of roads, bridges, and flood control systems.

Bulacan First Engineering District

The Bulacan First Engineering District is a government infrastructure agency responsible for planning, construction, and maintenance of national roads and bridges within its designated area of Bulacan province, Philippines. It was established as part of the decentralization of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to provide more efficient and localized management of infrastructure projects. Its history is tied to the ongoing development and modernization of the Philippines’ national road network.

Bulacan

Bulacan is a province in the Philippines, located just north of Manila, known as a major historical center for its role in the 1896 Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule. It is the site of the Republic of Real de Kakarong de Sili, considered the first revolutionary republic, and the birthplace of the first Philippine constitution. Today, the province is celebrated for its heritage sites, vibrant festivals, and traditional crafts.

Mindoro

Mindoro is a large island in the Philippines, historically known as “Mina de Oro” (Mine of Gold) to Spanish colonizers due to its gold deposits. It is home to the indigenous Mangyan people, who have preserved their distinct cultures and traditional scripts for centuries. The island is renowned for its pristine natural attractions, including Mount Halcon and the Puerto Galera beaches.

DPWH

I am unable to provide a summary for “DPWH” as it is not a cultural site or place, but an acronym for the **Department of Public Works and Highways**, which is the engineering and construction arm of the Philippine government. It is a government agency responsible for the planning, design, and implementation of public infrastructure projects throughout the country.