Former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and former District Engineer Henry Alcantara have become state witnesses in the government’s investigation into controversial flood control projects, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed on Thursday.
Also admitted into the witness protection program are former DPWH-NCR regional director Gerard Opulencia and contractor Sally Santos, owner of SYMS Construction Trading, implicated in the so-called “ghost” projects.
Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said the four are cooperating with prosecutors to strengthen the government’s cases against those behind the alleged anomalies.
“Sila po ay nakikipagtulungan sa Department of Justice para mapalakas ang ating mga kaso doon sa ating gustong habulin (sa flood control scandal),” Vida said.
Vida added that the witnesses have restituted ₱316 million in good faith, with the funds already deposited in the national treasury.
The DOJ explained that Bernardo, Alcantara, Opulencia, and Santos will be dropped as respondents in the specific cases where they are assisting the prosecution.
“Isa po sa karapatan ng mga state witnesses na ina-admit po sa programa is to be discharged from criminal liablities, doon po sa partikular na kaso na tinutulungan nila kami,” Vida said.
Meanwhile, former Public Works engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza did not qualify for the witness protection program, with Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon noting that the evidence they submitted fell short of the standards required.
“Sa ngayon, base sa pagsusuri namin sa sinumiteng ebidensya sa amin, hindi sila magka-qualify as state witness to be discharged under the witness protection program,” Fadullon said.