P841M flood control funds returned—but questions remain

MANILA  (July 31)  — MORE THAN P841 million in public funds linked to alleged flood control project anomalies has been returned to the National Treasury, but the government’s recovery effort leaves a bigger question for taxpayers: how much more remains missing?

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Wednesday, July 29, that P841,381,500 has been remitted to state coffers through the Land Bank of the Philippines.

The money came from four individuals whom the DOJ has identified as state witnesses in its investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects:

• Henry Alcantara — P181.3795 million
• Sally Santos — P20 million
• Gerard Opulencia — P140.002 million
• Roberto Bernardo — P500 million

The DOJ said the four are the same individuals it earlier identified as state witnesses.

The agency invoked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive that recovered money belongs to the Filipino people and that those who betrayed public trust must face the courts.

But the return of the funds does not erase the allegations surrounding the projects—or the potential damage to communities that were supposed to benefit from flood protection.

Flood control projects are meant to protect lives, homes, farms and livelihoods, particularly in areas repeatedly battered by heavy rains and flooding. When projects exist only on paper, are defective or are allegedly padded with kickbacks, the cost is ultimately borne by the public.

The DOJ said it will coordinate closely with the Office of the Ombudsman and build cases that can withstand judicial scrutiny.

The individuals who returned the money have also been identified as state witnesses. If they are named in complaints filed by the Ombudsman or DOJ, they are generally exempt from criminal liability under the conditions governing their status as state witnesses.

Among them is Bernardo, a former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary who admitted involvement in irregular flood control projects and said he helped arrange kickbacks or commissions tied to some projects.

Alcantara, a former DPWH Bulacan district engineer, said he issued completion certificates for a P55-million flood control project that was later found to be a ghost project. He also admitted working with Bernardo on commission arrangements.

Santos, a contractor and owner or manager of SYMS Construction, likewise became a state witness. She testified that she allegedly transferred about P1.72 billion to former DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez in connection with flood control projects.

The DOJ’s latest announcement puts a concrete figure on the government’s initial recovery: P841.38 million back in public hands.

But for taxpayers—and communities waiting for flood control projects that actually work—the real test will be whether the money trail leads to full accountability, the recovery of more funds and the delivery of projects that can protect people when the next major flood comes.