Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official Henry Alcantara and contractor Sally Santos have been removed as accused in multiple graft and malversation cases linked to alleged anomalous flood control projects.
Alcantara, a former district engineer of DPWH Bulacan, was among those initially implicated in the controversy. He has since been accepted as a state witness under the Department of Justice (DOJ) witness protection program.
Santos, owner of SYMS Construction Trading, has likewise been admitted as a state witness by the DOJ and is no longer included among the accused.
According to DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez, trial proceedings for the cases have already started at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in recent weeks.
Despite their removal as respondents, the cases continue against other individuals, including several officials and employees of the DPWH as well as personnel linked to SYMS Construction.
The charges stem from alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Meanwhile, Alcantara remains a respondent in three plunder cases involving former senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and former congressman Zaldy Co.
The DOJ said the plunder case against Revilla is still under preliminary investigation, while other related cases have already been submitted for resolution.
Authorities have not released further details as proceedings are ongoing.
The DOJ said developments in the case are part of continuing efforts to address alleged corruption involving public infrastructure projects.
Trial proceedings are expected to continue as prosecutors pursue the remaining respondents in connection with the case.
