The Department of Justice on Monday announced in Manila that it recovered additional funds from contractors and former public works officials linked to alleged anomalous flood control projects through restitution agreements and arrangements connected to the Witness Protection Program.
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said contractor Sally Santos, owner and manager of SYMS Construction Trading, turned over about P15 million to the government on Monday under a memorandum of agreement with the department. Martinez said the DOJ will release more details on Santos’ restitution and cooperation as investigators continue to examine records related to questioned flood control projects.
DOJ officials said Santos earlier told investigators that she delivered about P245 million in cash to a Department of Public Works and Highways office in a single day in connection with flood control contracts. She also claimed that she may have delivered up to P1 billion to the same office from 2022 to the present.
On December 16, former DPWH National Capital Region director Gerard Opulencia surrendered P40 million to the DOJ as part of his commitment to return funds allegedly tied to ghost flood control projects. Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said the amount formed part of Opulencia’s undertaking to return a total of P150 million under a memorandum of agreement with the department.
Vida said Opulencia faces five cases under preliminary investigation involving alleged ghost flood control projects contracted to SYMS Construction in Balagtas and Pandi, Bulacan. He said the DOJ provisionally admitted Opulencia into the Witness Protection Program, subject to full compliance with the agreement, including complete restitution and cooperation.
Vida said the department will consider Opulencia’s formal acceptance as a state witness after he fulfills all conditions under the agreement.
Earlier, former DPWH Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara surrendered the second tranche of funds he allegedly received as kickbacks from flood control projects in Bulacan. Vida said Alcantara turned over P71,379,500 as part of his pledge to return P300 million under a memorandum of agreement connected to the Witness Protection Program.
Vida said Alcantara previously surrendered P110 million on November 28, raising the total amount returned so far to P181,379,500. He said Alcantara still needs to return P118,620,500 to fully comply with the agreement.
Vida said the DOJ continues to monitor the restitution schedules of Santos, Opulencia, and Alcantara as authorities pursue the recovery of public funds allegedly lost through anomalous flood control projects.
