Ex-DPWH engineers’ house arrest plea on hold

Metro Manila, Philippines - Three dismissed engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), currently detained at the Senate for contempt, have requested to be placed under house arrest.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III confirmed receiving a request letter from former DPWH-Bulacan First District engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, and Jaypee Mendoza, but has yet to make a decision.

“I will wait till the BRC [Blue Ribbon Committee] meeting as soon as Sen. Erwin arrives,” Sotto told reporters in a text message on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

The blue ribbon committee is currently chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo, who assumed the role of acting chairman following the resignation of Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson.

Alcantara, Hernandez, and Mendoza were all cited in contempt during the Senate's flood control probe for providing conflicting statements and allegedly lying under oath. Despite alleged discrepancies in their testimonies, all three eventually admitted to irregularities in flood control projects.

They also named certain lawmakers and government officials allegedly involved in budget insertions and kickbacks.

Multiple investigations into the flood control corruption scandal are underway.