The sworn affidavits of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara and his former Assistant Engineer Brice Hernandez matched in key points.
In their separate affidavits, both former DPWH officials claimed that Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joel Villanueva allegedly facilitated ₱600 million worth of projects in Bulacan. Alcantara clarified, however, that Villanueva supposedly intended to allocate ₱1.5 billion for a multi-purpose building.
“Sa halagang ₱1.5B ay 600M lang ang napagbigyan na pondo para sa multi-purpose (building)… hindi humingi ng partikular na proyekto o porsyento si Sen. Joel pero inutos ni Usec. (Roberto) Bernardo, bigyan na lang ng proyektong katumbas ng ₱150M na proponent,” Alcantara stated.
According to Hernandez, Villanueva allegedly received a 30% kickback, but Alcantara countered that the amount was only 25% or about ₱150 million.
Alcantara further claimed that he personally delivered the said amount to Villanueva’s rest house in Bocaue, Bulacan, and left it with one of the senator’s staff members.
“Sinabi ko kay Peng na pakibigay na lang kay boss, tulong lamang yan para sa future na plano nya,” Alcantara said.
Alcantara’s statement was also consistent with Hernandez’s earlier allegation that Senator Jinggoy Estrada supposedly released ₱355 million for seven flood control projects in their district.
“Nasa 2024 budget hearing kami sa Senado, tinanong ako ni Usec. Bernardo kung meron pa akong gustong lagyan at mayron pang available na ₱355 (million) si SJE (Senator Jinggoy Estrada),” Alcantara recalled.
However, Alcantara denied Hernandez’s claim that he was the Chief Implementer of the said flood control projects.
Both Villanueva and Estrada have earlier denied all accusations against them.