The Department of Justice on Tuesday said former Department of Public Works and Highways–National Capital Region director Engineer Gerard Opulencia returned P40 million to the government as part of his commitment to return a total of P150 million allegedly obtained as kickbacks from flood control projects.
DOJ Officer-in-Charge Fredderick Vida said the turnover took place in Manila in the presence of representatives from the Bureau of the Treasury and other government officials. The Land Bank of the Philippines will conduct verification of the returned amount.
Vida said Opulencia, who has provisional admission to the Witness Protection Program, agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in an ongoing criminal investigation involving alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
The DOJ said Opulencia remains subject to a pending preliminary investigation before the Office of the Ombudsman, which continues to assess possible charges based on available evidence and witness accounts.
Vida said Opulencia must make full disclosure of all information related to the case under the terms of his provisional admission to the Witness Protection Program. He said authorities may revoke Opulencia’s protection status if investigators find false, misleading, or incomplete disclosures.
The DOJ said further updates will follow after completion of verification procedures and determinations on the filing of criminal or administrative cases.
