Photos from August 2023 showing former senator Bong Revilla with then-Department of Public Works and Highways Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, now linked to Senate hearings on alleged kickback schemes, are gaining traction.
The images showed Revilla and Alcantara inspecting ongoing flood control projects in Paombong and Hagonoy, underscoring their roles in monitoring local infrastructure.
This was shared by DPWH-Regional Office III on Aug. 11, 2023.
“SEN. REVILLA, DPWH, LOCAL LEADERS CHECK FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS IN BULACAN,” the post read.
“Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., together with Public Works and Highways Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara and Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez inspected ongoing flood control projects in Paombong and Hagonoy on August 10, 2023,” it continued.
“The team was joined by local leaders from the said municipalities, including Mayor Maryanne Marcos of Paombong, Mayor Flordeliza Manlapaz of Hagonoy, and Mayor Glorime Faustino of Calumpit,” the post added.
In the post, Alcantara explained that Revilla visited the projects “to gain a comprehensive understanding of the necessity for flood control structures in flood-prone areas and assess the current situation, including the residents, with the aim of formulating a well-defined strategy to address extensive flooding.”
“We need to act now to protect our communities from the devastating effects of flooding,” Revilla was quoted as “These flood control projects are a critical step in that effort,” he added.
The post, however, resurfaced online after Alcantara implicated Revilla in the Bulacan kickback schemes during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Tuesday, September 23.
In his opening remarks, Alcantara said DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo as one acting as a middleman between local Bulacan officials and national politicians.
“Ayon kay Usec. Bernardo, ang GAA (General Appropriations Act) insertions nung 2024 na nagkakahalaga ng P300 million, para kay, sabi niya po sa akin, ay para kay Senator Bong Revilla,” Alcantara said.
He also tagged Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada in the kickback scheme.
READ: Billions lost? Kickbacks linked to Villanueva, Estrada, Revilla, Co — Alcantara
Following these revelations, online users brought up the August 2023 post that featured Revilla and Alcantara’s photos.
“Screenshot nyo na to, madedelete to for sure,” a Facebook user said.
“Resibo,” another said.
The post has so far garnered 5,700 reactions, 3,400 shares and 833 comments.
—Rosette Adel; with reports by Jean Mangaluz
