By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — Multisectoral groups on Saturday (Sept. 20) urged former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineers Brice Hernandez and Henry Alcantara to reveal the real names of people allegedly involved in the multi-billion-peso anomalous flood control projects nationwide.
In a press conference at Eurotel Hotel North EDSA, Dr. Danilo B. Mangahas, Convenor of Sigaw ng Bayan Para sa Katotohanan (SIBAK), said that they only come out now because they would like to see what happens in the ongoing Senate investigation-in-aid of legislation on the alleged anomalous multi-billion peso government flood control projects.
Dr. Mangahas noted that Engr. Hernandez has been mentioning names of public officials allegedly involved in the corrupt practices in government on a staggered basis both in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
He noted that during the Senate investigation yesterday, even the Senators themselves were saying that Hernandez was lying and that they do not anymore believe in him.
According to Dr. Mangahas, they are calling on those who should be held accountable, their connection, and the real names such as former Undersecretary or Congresswoman Mitch Cajayon who was allegedly in the receiving end of kickback in flood control projects.
Dr. Mangahas asked the Senate and the House to stop making the investigations-in-aid of legislation as “Teleserye” or making a staggered or installment of revelation of names and making statements and after that, nothing follows.
He said that their group is fearing that the “truth” may be lost at the end of the day, adding that, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. should now order the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and the PNP-CIDG (Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) to raid the houses of Hernandez and Alcantara in Bulacan province in order to know the truth.
Dr. Mangahas said that the SIBAK is seeing the investigation as very slow and there is a delay in the ferreting out of the truth.
He added that the luxury cars of Hernandez and Alcantara should be confiscated in the same way that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) immediately took action on the luxury cars of the Discaya family following their admission in the Senate investigation.
Dr. Mangahas stressed that the people are now awaiting the “Teleserye” of Hernandez and Alcantara, who have admitted that they were the ones distributing the “kickbacks” in the billions of pesos of public funds to corrupt government officials.
He noted that the two former DPWH officials have already confessed of their “sins” and their respective houses should now be raided.
Dr. Mangahas said that their group will also participate in the protest action against corruption tomorrow and they have prepared “Zombie” as propaganda to represent the former DPWH officials seem to be the “Zombie” in eating all the kickback they can get from government projects.
He added that former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez should now speak out the truth and if he was not involved in the corruption, he should explain and not cover up by resigning and to divert the attention of the media and people from the allegations against him.
The people and the media would like the former Speaker to speak out about the truth and whether or not he was really involved in the allegations of corruption in government projects.
“At least we will have the parameters or idea of what he (Romualdez) really did during his term as House Speaker on the alleged ‘budget insertions’ in the billions of pesos in the 2025 national budget,” Dr. Mangahas said.
“Panagutin na ang dapat panagutin. Ikulong na ang dapat ikulong. Santong paspasan na. Wala namang nangyayari,” he added.
Dr. Mangahas pointed out that Hernandez and Alcantara are the “key” to open up the truth about the billions of pesos they stole from the people and return what they have stolen and open up their bank accounts.
Jeromme De Ramos Labay, of Tunay na Asenso sa Pamahalaang Tapat (TAPAT), said that it is now the time to really name the people involved in the corruption in the billions and even trillions worth of ghost or anomalous flood control projects that benefitted corrupt government officials.
“There should be people to be held liable and sue them in court for corruption,” Labay said.
“We are advocating for transparency and accountability in government,” he added.
Labay stressed that the alleged corrupt government officials should now speak out and not to remain deaf and mute on the allegations hurled against them.
Rajah Isaiah Alakdan, of World United Tribal Maharlika Beneficiaries Federation Inc., said that it is unbelievable that the names of people involved in corruption have already been mentioned but nobody has yet been arrested.
All those involved should be arrested one by one by the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and the PNP (Philippine National Police).
Ted Lazaro, Alyansa Laban sa Baha (ALLAB BAHA) Lead Convenor, said that they now begin with the “Sigaw ng Bayan” in the sense that there had been a “precedent” of floodings because of climate change and extreme weather disturbances and the government should have already take action and implemented solutions to mitigate such floodings.
Lazaro noted that the climate change expenditure for the flood control of the government had reached billions of pesos but almost 60% of the trillion-peso budget for the purposes went to the district engineers such as Hernandez and Alcantara.
“The Sandiganbayan and the Ombudsman should now come in to hold accountable these corrupt officials and those they mentioned should also be investigated now,” Lazaro said.
He cited the alleged 66 ghost projects. He said that they have found a completed bridge but the other end of the bridge only roofs of houses can be seen.
Lorie Caalaman, Ugnayan at Pagkakaisa Laban sa Kurapsyon (UPAK) Spokesperson, cited the P17-billion anomalous ghost flood control projects in Quezon City.
Caalaman said that the responsible contractors should also be jailed.
“Singilin ang dapat singilin. Panagutin ang dapat panagutin,” she said.
Caalaman added that they have received information that there are lawmakers who are allegedly set to distribute money or “ayuda” to dissuade them from joining the protest action tomorrow.
Ruben Gabas, Alyansa ng Kabataan Kontra Korapsyon (AKSYON) Spokesperson, said that their group was formed as an association of youth against corruption.
Gabas added that some of them stopped schooling because of expensive education.
He noted that in the 2025 national budget, P1.1-trillion was allocated to flood control projects, but less budget was allocated to education and social projects.
Gabas said that Brice knew what really happened on the flood control projects and who were people behind the “kickbacks” in the billions of pesos.
He asked the Senate not to make the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing as a hindrance to reveal the truth about the alleged trillion-peso anomalous government flood control projects.
Gabas said that the youth are now siding with the truth because the future is at stake.
He added that President Marcos knows that the people are really very very angry and that he would do anything to calm them down. He cited that the National Unity Party (NUP) is supported by big businessmen.
Gabas said that as Marcos has so many “PR stunts” and as he is the highest government official he can control everything under his power.
He added there should be an Independent Commission to be composed of the ordinary people who will investigate the corrupt government officials, including the President.
Rosalino “Abu” Crabantes, of ATPINOY Rider, said that they are now very very angry on what is happening with the investigation of the anomalous flood control projects.
Crabantes added that if such funds for the flood control projects which were supposed to be allocated in the construction of roads and bridges, but billions of pesos are lost in corruption.
He cited that the corrupt government officials are allegedly using public funds in eating in hotels, having medical checkups abroad and using jetplanes in going abroad.
Crabantes stressed that the real people or the “roots” behind the corruption should be revealed and hold them accountable.
Rev. Nicholas Amatorio, of Values Formation Spiritual Transformation Philippines International Inc., said that the names of the two former DPWH officials are easy to remember.
Rev. Amatorio cited the Constitution which states that public office is a public trust, but he said that the pattern of life now seems to be owning a luxury and if that is the basis, “we have a big problem.
He said that he is already disheartened with what is happening. He added that proper basis of good governance is based on the Holy Scriptures which says “Tell the truth and it shall set you free.”
“The Administrative Code of 1997 vested on the President the continuing authority,” Rev. Amatorio said.
He said that President Marcos has the administrative power and continuing authority over the government agencies to order them to arrest and investigate whoever are really involved in the anomalies in government projects.
Rev. Amatorio said “Public office is a public trust has already been violated. Republic Act No. 6713 has been violated.”
“Anumang sinimulan sa mali hindi matatapos sa tama. Simulan na natin sa tama at matatapos tayo nang masaya,” Rev. Amatorio said.
“All the powers are in your hands Mr. President. Thank you,” he added.
“Tama na ang teleserye sa Senado at Kongreso, ang kailangan sa ghost project na nandadawit ng ghost name, pangalanan na ang mga tunay na sangkot sa anomalya, karapat-dapat na kasuhan at ikulong, dahil ang hiling ng taumbayan ang mapanagot ang lahat ng nasa likod ng katiwalian,” SIBAK said.
“Sigaw sigaw sigaw ng bayan katotohanan,” they added.
According to Dr. Mangahas, the three Zombie Mascots symbolize DPWH and contractors involved in systematic corruptions, behind the multi-trillion-peso flood control projects. ###
