MANILA, Philippines — In an explosive testimony before the Sandiganbayan, a former official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has detailed the mechanics of a massive corruption scheme, alleging a single delivery of ₱800 million in kickbacks to former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co.
Henry Alcantara, a former DPWH district engineer appearing as a state witness, made the revelation on Friday, April 17, 2026—the same day the former lawmaker’s arrest in Prague, Czech Republic, dominated national headlines.
Alcantara’s testimony, given during a bail hearing for a separate malversation case involving “ghost” flood control projects in Bulacan, painted a stark picture of institutionalized graft:
- The Valle Verde Deliveries: Alcantara testified that he made several large cash deliveries to a staff member of Co, identified as Paul Estrada, at a residence in Valle Verde, Pasig City.
- The ₱800M Peak: When asked to name the largest single amount ever delivered to the former House Appropriations Chair, Alcantara cited the ₱800-million figure.
- The “Commission” Structure: Alcantara admitted that out of his district’s annual budget of ₱6 billion to ₱8 billion in 2023, approximately 25 percent was routinely set aside for kickbacks to various proponents and officials.
The state witness provided a chilling breakdown of how public funds for infrastructure were depleted before reaching the actual project sites:
- Actual Spend: For every ₱100 million allotted for flood control, only ₱35 million was actually spent on construction.
- The “Proponent’s” Cut: Between 30 to 35 percent went directly to the project’s proponent (typically a lawmaker).
- The Rest: The remaining funds were eaten up by taxes (7%), contractor “royalties” (3%), and small cuts for local officials, including Alcantara himself, who admitted to taking a 1.5 to 2 percent share.
The timing of Alcantara’s testimony coincides with the dramatic capture of Zaldy Co in Europe after nine months in hiding. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the arrest on Thursday night, signaling a major breakthrough in the government’s pursuit of figures involved in the multi-billion peso public works scandal that broke out in 2025.
While Zaldy Co is not a direct respondent in the Bulacan case where Alcantara testified, the Sandiganbayan Third Division allowed the questioning to assess the witness’s credibility and the broader context of the alleged corruption network. Co currently faces separate graft charges involving substandard flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro.
As the Department of Justice (DOJ) prepares for Co’s extradition—a process expected to take up to three weeks—Alcantara’s detailed accounts provide the prosecution with a roadmap of how billions in taxpayer money were allegedly siphoned through Pasig City “deliveries.”