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“For these projects, we have a sharing once we get income… Boss Henry has 40%, I have 20%, engineer Jaypee gets 20% and engineer Paul Duya also gets 20%,” said Hernandez as the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee probe on anomalous flood projects resumed.

Hernandez made the statement after he was granted legislative immunity by the Senate to share how ghost projects worked in their district.

“The sharing on how much the total is—we have a certain percentage as to how much the income was. That’s what we share,” he added.

Hernandez also shared that the increase of “grease money” was part of the reason why they decided to make ghost projects.

“The tara goes to the proponent, according to my boss. I don’t have direct contact with the proponent,” Hernandez shared.

Meanwhile, Hernandez’s former boss, Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara, rejected the accusations.

“I don’t know who the proponent is, your honor. Every time he’s asked a question, he keeps on pointing at me… It’s very clear that the contractor said that they were their contacts, your honor,” he said.

Alcantara was later cited by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for allegedly lying about his knowledge of the projects.

Senator Erwin Tulfo put forward the motion, saying it is unbelievable that Alcantara would not know about the ghost projects in his jurisdiction when he is the chief of the DPWH District Engineering Office there.

“He has been lying for two hearings already, saying his subordinates are at fault and that he is innocent. He is the District Engineer and he does not know about this? And he is not aware that funding for these projects ballooned? These matters pass through his desk in the first place,” Tulfo said.

To which Alcantara replied, “We just implement the project. I do now know anything about the ghost projects.”

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is a special investigative body in the Philippine Senate tasked with investigating alleged wrongdoings by government officials and agencies. It was formally established in 1992 to strengthen the Senate’s oversight function and promote transparency and accountability in government. Its investigations into major scandals have made it a significant, though sometimes controversial, institution in Philippine politics.

Department of Public Works and Highways

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of national infrastructure, including highways, flood control systems, and public buildings. It was formally established in 1868 during the Spanish colonial period as the *Inspección General de Obras Públicas* and has evolved through various reorganizations to its current form. Its core mission is to provide and manage quality infrastructure facilities that are essential for the country’s economic development and national progress.

DPWH District Engineering Office

The DPWH District Engineering Office is a local administrative unit of the Philippines’ Department of Public Works and Highways, responsible for planning, designing, and maintaining national infrastructure like roads and bridges within its designated district. These offices were established to decentralize the department’s operations and bring infrastructure management closer to the communities they serve. Their history is tied to the evolution of the DPWH itself, which was formally organized in the late 19th century during the American colonial period.

Bulacan first district

The First District of Bulacan is a legislative district in the Philippines, established to represent its constituents in the House of Representatives. It encompasses the highly urbanized and historically significant City of Malolos, which served as the capital of the First Philippine Republic in 1899. This area is a central part of the province, known for its rich role in the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule.

Senate

The Senate is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress, established by the Constitution in 1789. It provides equal representation with two senators from each state, and its history includes pivotal roles in legislation, treaties, and impeachment trials.

legislative immunity

“Legislative immunity” is not a physical place or cultural site, but a legal principle that protects legislators from civil or criminal liability for actions taken within their official capacity. This concept has historical roots in systems like the British Parliament’s privilege, designed to ensure political independence and free debate. It exists as a legal provision in the constitutions and laws of many democratic nations worldwide.

ghost projects

“Ghost projects” refer to incomplete or abandoned construction developments, often resulting from economic crises, political instability, or insufficient funding. These sites can be found worldwide and serve as stark reminders of failed ambitions or sudden financial collapses. Over time, they may become informal landmarks or symbols of urban decay within their communities.

grease money

“Grease money” is not a physical place or cultural site, but rather a colloquial term for a bribe or illicit payment made to expedite a service or circumvent official procedures. The practice has a long, informal history in many cultures and bureaucracies worldwide, though it is illegal and considered a form of corruption.