Alcantara Names 5 Politicians in Billions of Pesos Kickback Scandal

Alcantara Names 5 Politicians in Billions of Pesos Kickback Scandal

By Wilma N. Yamzon – TheNationWeek.Com | September 24, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – A bombshell revelation has rocked the government as sacked Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Henry Alcantara testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that billions of pesos in kickbacks went to prominent politicians.

Alcantara, who initially denied any knowledge of corruption within the DPWH, named Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, former senator Bong Revilla, Rep. Zaldy Co, and former congresswoman Mitch Cajayon as alleged beneficiaries of kickbacks involving flood projects in Bulacan.

The testimony, delivered on Tuesday (Sept. 23, 2025), appears to corroborate earlier accusations made by former DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez against Villanueva and Estrada.

Alcantara claimed that DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo acted as a middleman, facilitating the flow of funds between Bulacan officials and national politicians.

According to Alcantara, Villanueva requested a P1.5 billion multi-purpose building in 2022 but ultimately received P600 million from unprogrammed flood control funds.

While Alcantara stated Villanueva may have been unaware of the source of the funds, he admitted delivering P150 million to a staff member known as “Peng” at a Bulacan resthouse.

Further implicating Estrada, Alcantara testified that in 2024, he was asked by Bernardo if there were other individuals to whom he wished to allocate funds.

Alcantara then allegedly had his staff create a list of projects totaling P355 million for Estrada, with the understanding that the senator would receive 25 percent in kickbacks.

Alcantara maintained he had no direct contact with either Villanueva or Estrada regarding these transactions.

The accusations extended to former senator Bong Revilla, with Alcantara claiming Bernardo stated that P300 million in General Appropriations Act (GAA) insertions for 2024 were earmarked for Revilla.

The most significant allegation involved Co, who allegedly inserted funding for projects in Bulacan First totaling P35 billion between 2022 and 2025.

Alcantara claimed Co demanded a 20-percent kickback in Bulacan projects.

He further admitted that a photo of him surrounded by stacks of cash in his DPWH office showed Co’s share in 2022 projects amounting to P519 million.

Alcantara also corroborated Hernandez’s earlier testimony of Cajayon’s alleged involvement, claiming she received a 10-percent cut from the scheme.

Adding another layer to the scandal, Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Gonzales Lipana was implicated, with Alcantara alleging he received kickbacks amounting to P1.4 billion.

Alcantara admitted he did not know how Lipana received the money but noted that Lipana’s wife is a contractor.

The accused politicians have yet to issue formal statements, but the unfolding scandal threatens to significantly impact the country’s political landscape.