DPWH execs involved in casino gambling may face raps – Palace

GHOST PROJECTS PROBE. Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First Engineering District engineer Henry Alcantara testifies during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on alleged anomalous flood control projects at the Senate in Pasay City on Sept. 1, 2025. Malacañang on Wednesday (Sept. 3) said DPWH officials involved in gambling activities may face administrative or even criminal charges. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday said Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials involved in gambling activities may face administrative or even criminal charges.

This, after former Bulacan DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara, at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on anomalous flood control projects on Monday, admitted to playing in casinos along with his former assistant district engineer, Brice Hernandez.

“Maaari po itong makasuhan (They can be charged) under RA (Republic Act) 6713, depende pa po kung ano pa ‘yung maaari pa niyang nagawa (depending on what they have done). [It] can be administrative case, [it] can be criminal case),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters, when asked about the possible sanctions that the DPWH officials may face.

RA 6713, also known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, explicitly prohibits government workers from engaging in behavior that undermines public trust, including gambling.

Castro said the Palace will let Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon act on the matter and determine the appropriate course of action.

She, nevertheless, said government workers need not be reminded of their responsibilities, stressing that they already know that they should not be involved in gambling activities.

“Alam po nila iyan, hindi na po sila dapat pagsabihan. Kahit po ‘yung online gambling, hindi pupuwede iyon, bawal po iyon (They know that, they shouldn’t be reminded. Even online gambling, that’s not allowed, that’s forbidden),” she said.

“Malalaki na po sila. Responsibilidad nila iyan na dapat matino silang public official (They are grown up. It is their responsibility to be sensible public officials).”

Alcantara’s admission followed Senator Panfilo Lacson’s revelation that at least two DPWH officials from Bulacan squandered over PHP300 million each in casino gambling.

Lacson said the two officials used fictitious names to hide their true identities.