Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday bared that five dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel allegedly blew nearly ₱950 million in casino losses while being implicated in questionable flood control projects in Bulacan.
In a privilege speech, Lacson named former Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara and Assistant Engineers Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, and Edrick San Diego as the so-called “BGC Boys” — not referring to Bonifacio Global City, but “Bulacan Group of Contractors” — who were known to casino employees for posing as contractors during high-stakes gambling sessions.
“Malululula tayo sa laki ng halagang naging talo ng limang ito sa casino: P950 million in gross losses,” Lacson said, citing data collected from 13 casinos across Metro Manila, Cebu, and Pampanga.
According to Lacson, these former officials maintained lavish lifestyles marked by expensive watches, branded clothing, and frequent gambling. He revealed that some of the men continued their casino visits even as the Senate launched its probe into flood control fund irregularities — with Hernandez spotted on September 1, and others as recently as August.
The senator alleged that these activities may be part of a broader money laundering scheme. “That’s the money laundering scheme that they employed, that we suspected at least,” he confirmed in response to Senator Erwin Tulfo’s question on whether the group was converting large amounts of cash to casino-issued checks to legitimize their funds.
Lacson said one reported transaction involved as much as ₱400 million being brought into a casino by the group. He has since submitted their names and aliases to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), which is now set to meet with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon regarding the allegations.
Beyond casino activities, Lacson’s office also uncovered extensive evidence of rigged bidding processes, fake documents, and falsified progress reports.
“These are not clerical errors; these are fingerprints of a system perfected over the years to pocket billions of funds,” Lacson emphasized.
One glaring example cited was SYMS Construction, which received a ₱92.58-million contract on December 17, 2024. Just two days later, it reported a 46% completion rate and secured its first payment. The same company received a second payment in March 2025 after claiming an 89% completion. Lacson said both progress reports used duplicate images, and an on-site inspection showed the project was still far from finished.
“SYMS Construction seems to be complicit sa broad daylight robbery na ito – not once, but twice,” he said.
Another contractor, IM Construction Corporation, was allegedly paid four times for a single ₱92.5-million project despite also submitting duplicate documentation.
Lacson also cited two projects in Calumpit, Bulacan involving Wawao Builders. According to letters from its manager, the firm was already aware it had won the bidding even before the official notice of award was issued. Despite that, the firm claimed 50% project completion within just over a week of receiving the go signal.
Senator Risa Hontiveros called for swift AMLC action, warning that inaction could result in stolen public funds being lost forever. “Kung hindi ito agad aksyunan… mawawala po yan na parang tinangay din ng baha,” she said.
The Senate’s Blue Ribbon Committee is expected to summon AMLC representatives in upcoming hearings as calls mount to preserve the assets linked to the DPWH corruption scandal.
