Ex-engineer admits negligence on P55M ghost project

Former Bulacan 1st district engineer Henry Alcantara admitted negligence for a P55 million flood control project in Baliwag, Bulacan, which he certified as complete without personal verification.

House Infra Comm Co-Chair Terry Ridon believes Alcantara intentionally defrauded the government and stated that Alcantara's admission makes him liable for plunder, given the project's cost exceeding the P50 million threshold.

Ridon rejected Alcantara's claim of mere negligence, emphasizing that as the head of the office, Alcantara bears actual liability and is the most responsible for the "ghost" project.

Alcantara had previously confirmed issuing the certificate of completion based on his team's report, admitting he failed to personally verify the project's completion.

The P55-million project was for a reinforced concrete river wall in Barangay Piel, Baliuag, which skipped local government oversight and was confirmed by Alcantara to be a ghost project.