Ex-DPWH exec Alcantara, contractor Santos dropped in Bulacan graft, malversation cases
MANILA, Philippines — Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Henry Alcantara and contractor Sally Santos were dropped as respondents in cases over anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan.
In a message to reporters on Thursday, March 19, Department of Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said Alcantara and Santos were removed as respondents by “virtue of their admission as state witnesses under the Witness Protection Program.”
“By virtue of their admission as state witnesses under the WPP, respondents Alcantara and Santos were no longer indicted in the cases where they were made respondents, provided they fully comply with their obligations in accordance with R.A. No. 6981,” Martinez said.
Alcantara and Santos were named state witnesses in January, along with former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and former DPWH regional director Gerard Opulencia.
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The three cases filed against them are graft and malversation over the alleged anomalous project involving SYMS Construction Trading, which is owned by Santos.
According to Martinez, the cases were originally filed in a Bulacan court between late January and mid-February but were later moved to a special anti-corruption court in Quezon City.
Martinez said that the respondents in the case were arraigned in the first week of March.
The pre-trial proceedings for two of the three cases are scheduled for April 13 at Branch 79 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
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