Wazzup Pilipinas!?
In a stunning turn of events that could reshape the country’s anti-corruption narrative, former Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara has submitted a sworn affidavit to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, confirming the existence of a deeply entrenched “porsyentuhan” system in the approval and funding of government infrastructure projects. His explosive testimony links high-ranking officials, both past and present, to alleged kickbacks amounting to billions of pesos in public funds.
The Affidavit: A Window into a Culture of Corruption
Alcantara’s statement details a complex and systemic practice wherein project proponents are allegedly required to surrender 20–25% of project funds in exchange for approvals and budget releases. His testimony spans several years and cites projects worth tens of billions of pesos, covering flood control systems, multipurpose buildings, and infrastructure initiatives across Bulacan, Pampanga, and other districts.
According to Alcantara, this arrangement has been in place for decades, thriving under the protection of political patrons and bureaucratic middlemen. He claims that from 2022 to 2025 alone, projects totaling over ₱25 billion were burdened by these “commission rates,” depriving taxpayers of funds that could have directly improved communities.
Names that Rock the Senate
Perhaps most shocking are the names cited in Alcantara’s affidavit. Among those he identified as allegedly involved in or connected to the system are:
Retired DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo – Allegedly acted as a broker and “collector” for project commissions, with a network reaching back to the late 1990s.
Former Senator Bong Revilla – Already linked to previous pork barrel scandals, now once again dragged into controversy.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada – Another figure previously entangled in corruption cases, mentioned as part of the network.
Senator Joel Villanueva – Cited in connection to budget allocations for multipurpose building projects, though Alcantara clarified that some projects may have been pursued without Villanueva’s direct knowledge.
Representative Zaldy Co – Current lawmaker and influential figure in budget deliberations, allegedly tied to projects coursed through the budget process.
While Alcantara’s testimony does not provide conclusive evidence against all named officials, it paints a disturbing picture of how public works funds may have been systematically carved up behind closed doors.
Billions at Stake
The affidavit meticulously outlines project amounts and the alleged commissions deducted. Some highlights include:
2022: ₱519 million project allocation, with 20% or more earmarked as “commissions.”
2023: Projects ballooned to over ₱5 billion, with the same 20–25% allegedly siphoned off.
2024: ₱14 billion in infrastructure allocations, again subject to the “porsyentuhan” practice.
2025 (projections): Around ₱7.3 billion already tagged for questionable commissions.
Alcantara claimed some transactions were brokered in high-end venues, such as hotels in Metro Manila, further highlighting the brazenness of the scheme.
The Weight of the Testimony
In his affidavit, Alcantara expressed fear for his safety and that of his family, appealing for protection as he laid bare the details of what he described as a long-standing racket.
“Hindi po ako lumalantad para sa pansarili kong interes. Gusto ko lang po na malaman ng taumbayan ang katotohanan—kung paano nauubos ang pondo ng bayan bago pa makarating sa totoong proyekto,” Alcantara said.
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee: A Test of Integrity
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee now faces immense pressure to act decisively. Chaired by Senator Francis Tolentino, the committee has a mandate to probe corruption and recommend sanctions, but its credibility will be tested given that sitting senators are implicated in the affidavit.
Civil society groups and watchdog organizations are calling for transparency, protection for Alcantara as a whistleblower, and the immediate suspension of projects flagged in his testimony until a thorough investigation is completed.
A Pattern Too Familiar?
This revelation echoes the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scandal of a decade ago, which implicated senators, congressmen, and government officials in a pork barrel kickback system. Yet despite high-profile prosecutions, many of those involved have since returned to public office.
If proven true, Alcantara’s testimony would confirm that corruption in public works funding has not only survived but mutated into a more organized, institutionalized scheme.
What’s Next?
The hearings are still ongoing, with Alcantara expected to provide more detailed records of transactions, including dates, amounts, and specific projects. The possibility of new witnesses emerging could widen the scope of the probe.
For the Filipino people, weary of repeated cycles of corruption scandals, the hope lies in whether this latest exposé will finally lead to systemic reforms—or simply fade into another footnote in the nation’s long history of political impunity.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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