State witness says kickback scheme began before Romualdez became House Speaker

During a bail hearing before the Sandiganbayan, former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara disclosed that the collection of "commitment fees" from contractors began before Martin Romualdez was elected Speaker of the House in July 2022. Alcantara, who was previously implicated in a flood-control corruption case, said the fees represented 20% of project costs and were sourced from contractors who coordinated to secure government contracts, later rising to 25% under Romualdez’s speakership.

He identified former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, then chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, as the primary beneficiary of three kickback deliveries in February 2022, September 2022 and November 2023, routed through Co’s aides Mark Ticsay and John Paul Estrada. Alcantara also noted that Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo introduced him to Co in 2021. The money was reportedly concealed in plastic containers or suitcases, with amounts ranging from P30 million to P40 million per box. Co has denied receiving any illicit payments.