Ex-DPWH exec denies receiving luxury vehicles amid bribery allegations

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Brice Hernandez testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, accusing ex-Bulacan engineer Henry Alcantara of pressuring subordinates.

Hernandez alleged that Alcantara instructed him and fellow engineer JP Mendoza to take responsibility for anomalies in flood control projects, which they refused.

Alcantara admitted to receiving a luxury GMC vehicle and a Toyota Land Cruiser 300 from his colleagues, with the GMC truck valued at up to P5.7 million and the Land Cruiser costing around the same.

He stated that he returned the vehicles after the controversy became public, asserting he did not need them if they originated from questionable sources.

Hernandez countered that these were not gifts but compliance with Alcantara's requests, and also accused Alcantara of asking him to buy a P5 million Patek watch.

Alcantara initially refused to confirm if he was the person in a viral photo featuring stacks of cash at a DPWH office.