(Photo courtesy of Jinggoy Estrada FB)
BATASAN, Quezon City — Testifying before the Sandiganbayan Second Division, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Henry Alcantara told the anti-graft court that a total of ₱213.75 million worth of ‘kickbacks’ was delivered to a hotel in Manila allegedly for Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.
Speaking as a witness for the prosecution in the continuation of Estrada’s graft trial, Alcantara disclosed that his driver, Edric San Diego, delivered around 10 boxes containing ₱213.75 million at the Diamond Hotel sometime in April or May the current year.
He said the delivery was received by a staff of former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who earlier alleged that the money was meant as a “commission” for Estrada.
Despite the blatant testimony, however, Alcantara stated that at the time of the delivery, he was unable to clarify with Estrada whether the money was meant for him because he had never spoken with the senator.
He claimed the money came from private funds of contractors he selected to conduct government projects. The selection was usually done, he said, during the budget season.
Quizzed over how contractors were able to pay for the commissions of proponents, the ex-DPWH official explained that infrastructure projects under his office were intentionally “overdesigned” to ensure additional funds for the alleged kickbacks.
