Ex-DPWH engineers may face perjury raps if they recant, says Lacson

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January 12, 2026 | 3:27pm

MANILA, Philippines — Former Department of Public Works and Highways officials who recant their testimonies could face perjury charges, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said.

Reports have circulated claiming that former DPWH engineer Henry Alcantara had recanted his testimony, a claim the Department of Justice has disputed, saying it has not received any such motions.

Lacson, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said Alcantara and other former DPWH officials who testified could face what he described as a double whammy if they retract their sworn statements.

"If they will recant, they may be liable for violating the law on perjury, Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by [Republic Act] 11594, which raises the penalty for perjury to up to 12 years. This is aside from a penalty of P1 million and perpetual absolute disqualification if the offender is a government official," Lacson said in a radio interview.

Probe to continue despite recantations

Should the DPWH officials recant their statements, Lacson said he does not see it affecting the course of the investigation. 

Previous Blue Ribbon hearings had yielded both circumstantial and documentary evidence. Alcantara and former DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez had already turned over money and vehicles to the government—a clear indication of wrongdoing. 

"Their statements are not standalone evidence. The case won’t die or collapse on the basis of their recantation," Lacson said.

Ombudsman, Palace downplay reports

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano dismissed reports of impending recantations by the DPWH engineers.

"Seems like noise to us. We will only rely on sworn statements. Besides, that would hurt their admission into witness protection," Clavano said.

With President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. being the first to expose the flood control scam, Malacañang said it has not received any information confirming recantations.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro urged witnesses not to be swayed by possible offers.

"Sa mga witnesses na maaaring makatulong sa bansa, huwag po kayong magpaloko dahil baka po lumabas na instead na kayo po ang maligtas dahil sa inyong mga katotohanang isisiwalat, kayo’y magamit at kayo po ang mapunta sa kulungan at ang inyong itinuturo na malalaking isda, sila pa po ang makawala," Castro said.

(To the witnesses who could help the country, do not be fooled because instead of being saved by the truth you will reveal, you will be used and you will end up in jail while the people you point to, the big fish, go free.)

Alcantara, Hernandez, and several other DPWH officials had implicated multiple politicians in the alleged flood control scheme, including senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva. — With reports from Dominique Flores and Ian Laqui