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Advocates Philippines
Henry Alcantara Enters Witness Protection In Flood Control Scandal
Photo courtesy from PNA via Avito Dalan
MANILA — Former Department of Public Works and Highways engineer Henry Alcantara has been placed under the government’s Witness Protection Program after agreeing to testify in the widening probe into allegedly anomalous flood control projects.
Alcantara, who once served as DPWH engineer for Bulacan’s first district, had been under Senate detention since September 2025 after lawmakers cited him in contempt during high-profile hearings on suspected corruption in flood control spending.
On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Senate formally turned him over to the Department of Justice. Alcantara was escorted out of the Senate complex under tight security, wearing protective gear as authorities moved him to DOJ custody.
Justice officials confirmed that Alcantara is now a state witness under the Witness Protection Program. His exact location and security arrangements are being kept confidential due to the sensitive nature of his testimony.
He is one of four individuals admitted as state witnesses in the case. Also cooperating with investigators are former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, contractor Sally Santos, and former DPWH regional official Gerard Opulencia. The DOJ has said their testimonies are key to building cases tied to questionable budget insertions and flood control contracts.
As part of their cooperation, the state witnesses have returned more than ₱300 million to the government. Authorities, however, say the investigation is far from over, with dozens of flood control projects still under review for possible irregularities.
Some of the projects are suspected to be “ghost” projects — paid for but allegedly not built — though officials stress that field validation and audits are ongoing and only a limited number have been confirmed so far.
Alcantara is also facing professional consequences. The Professional Regulation Commission has revoked his civil engineering license over his involvement in approving the questioned projects.
With Alcantara now under protection, both Senate and DOJ probes are expected to press ahead, potentially leading to more cases as investigators continue to unravel what lawmakers have described as one of the biggest flood control controversies in recent years.
Alcantara, who once served as DPWH engineer for Bulacan’s first district, had been under Senate detention since September 2025 after lawmakers cited him in contempt during high-profile hearings on suspected corruption in flood control spending.
On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Senate formally turned him over to the Department of Justice. Alcantara was escorted out of the Senate complex under tight security, wearing protective gear as authorities moved him to DOJ custody.
Justice officials confirmed that Alcantara is now a state witness under the Witness Protection Program. His exact location and security arrangements are being kept confidential due to the sensitive nature of his testimony.
He is one of four individuals admitted as state witnesses in the case. Also cooperating with investigators are former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, contractor Sally Santos, and former DPWH regional official Gerard Opulencia. The DOJ has said their testimonies are key to building cases tied to questionable budget insertions and flood control contracts.
As part of their cooperation, the state witnesses have returned more than ₱300 million to the government. Authorities, however, say the investigation is far from over, with dozens of flood control projects still under review for possible irregularities.
Some of the projects are suspected to be “ghost” projects — paid for but allegedly not built — though officials stress that field validation and audits are ongoing and only a limited number have been confirmed so far.
Alcantara is also facing professional consequences. The Professional Regulation Commission has revoked his civil engineering license over his involvement in approving the questioned projects.
With Alcantara now under protection, both Senate and DOJ probes are expected to press ahead, potentially leading to more cases as investigators continue to unravel what lawmakers have described as one of the biggest flood control controversies in recent years.
Jan 21, 2026
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