The Obando Church is returning a vehicle donated by dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official Henry Alcantara, following his alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects.
On Monday, September 22, the Bulacan-based parish announced that it would give back a white Nissan Navara pick-up truck to the former Bulacan first district engineer amid reports linking Alcantara to so-called “ghost” flood control projects.
“Kasalukuyan po naming isinasagawa ang mga kinakailangang hakbang upang maisauli ito sa tamang paraan — sa wastong tao o institusyon at sa pamamagitan ng angkop na legal na proseso,” it said on a Facebook post.
The parish said the decision to return the vehicle is in accordance with the stance and guidance of the Diocese of Malolos, as well as of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. It said the move reflects its stand for justice and integrity.
The vehicle was donated by Alcantara on June 1, 2024.
The parish added that it accepted the donation “in good faith” to support the ongoing pilgrimage of the image of the Blessed Virgin of Salambao to different parishes.
“Ito po ay ipinagkaloob ng bukal sa puso at aming tinanggap nang walang paghusga sa kalooban ng nagbigay,” it said.
The donor
Alcantara was dismissed from service earlier this month as Congress investigates corruption in flood control infrastructure.
The former DPWH official was previously implicated by another former DPWH official, ex-assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez, during hearings on the issue.
Hernandez claimed that Alcantara received 40% from each “ghost” project in Bulacan, while Hernandez and two other engineers each received 20% of the profit.
“Ghost” flood control projects refer to infrastructure initiatives that exist only on paper, either never built or left unfinished, yet reported as “complete” and paid for.
Alcantara had denied Hernandez’s claims.
On September 4, the DPWH found Alcantara “guilty of the administrative offenses of disloyalty to the Republic of the Philippines and to the Filipino people, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.”
The agency said his “failure to safeguard public interest, which resulted in the payment of ‘ghost’ projects, tarnished the image and integrity of the DPWH.”
