The Department of Justice (DOJ) is evaluating the affidavit of former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara following his statement linking politicians from both houses of Congress in alleged anomalous budget insertions connected to state-funded flood control projects.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla accompanied Alcantara on Tuesday at the DOJ to assess his eligibility for witness protection.
“That is just the first part. We have to see him again within the week to finalize everything. We have the documents that are ready. We can submit to AMLA (Anti-Money Laundering Council) the documents that are needed to freeze their bank accounts,” Remulla told justice reporters in Filipino.
The DOJ chief added they have yet to conclude their analysis, but guaranteed Alcantara’s willingness to return the money received from the flood control projects.
Alcantara has already sworn an affidavit and the DOJ is also preparing several questions to clarify other matters. Remulla explained that he cannot comment on his qualification as witness since they still have to examine his status.
Aside from Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, other personalities named by Alcantara during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Tuesday were Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co and former Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jr.
Remulla believes that this revelation will be helpful as the DOJ tries to file a case as soon as possible to address the demand of the Filipino people.
Based on Alcantara’s statements, the controversial transactions started in 2022 when he was district engineer of Malolos, Bulacan.
Remulla confirmed that they are still looking at other possible witnesses including former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan first district assistant engineer Brice Hernandez.
“We will be very busy in the next few days. We will have to vet another one because we got a letter from a lawyer asking that we also consider Brice Hernandez as a state witness,” he said.
Meanwhile, he shared that the application of spouses Discaya under the Witness Protection Program (WPP) will also take time as they consider a number of factors before they choose a proper witness.
