JANUARY 15, 2026 — The Department of Justice has just dropped a bombshell: four personalities once linked to the anomalous flood control projects — former DPWH officials Roberto Bernardo, Henry Alcantara, Gerard Opulencia, and contractor Sally Santos — are now state witnesses. The very people accused of being part of the scam are now immune from criminal liability, thanks to their inclusion in the Witness Protection Program.

DOJ Secretary Fredderick Vida himself explained: “Isa po sa karapatan ng mga state witness na ina-admit sa programa is to be discharged from criminal liability, doon po sa partikular na kaso na tinutulungan namin, tinutulungan nila kami.” 

(One of the rights of a state witness admitted to the program is to be discharged from criminal liability, in the particular case where they are helping us.)

So what’s the trade-off? Money. Lots of it. 

The DOJ confirmed that the four have already returned ₱316,381,500 to the National Treasury, a fraction of the ₱1.5 billion they’re supposed to cough up. Alcantara gave back ₱181 million, Opulencia ₱80 million, Santos ₱20 million, and Bernardo ₱35 million. 

Bernardo, in fact, handed over a manager’s check after selling one of his properties. 

DOJ Undersecretary Nicolas Felix Ty revealed: “Ang pinanggalingan nito ay pagbenta ng isang ari-arian niya, at ito pa rin ang downpayment para sa ari-arian, at kung makuha niya ang balanse ay ibabalik na niya, bibigay niya dito sa DOJ.” 

(The source of this was the sale of one of his properties, and this is just the downpayment; once he gets the balance, he will return it to the DOJ.)

Bernardo alone is expected to return a whopping ₱1 billion. Imagine that — one man holding a billion pesos that should have been spent on protecting communities from floods.

Meanwhile, two other former DPWH engineers, Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, were denied state witness status. 

Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon explained: “Wala kaming nakikitang pangangailangan para sila ay i-discharge namin … When the future comes, kapag mayroong kaso na maaari silang tumestigo, ay maaari pa rin namin ikunsidera.” 

(We don’t see the need to discharge them … When the future comes and there’s a case where they can testify, we may still consider them.)

Justice for sale?

But does returning stolen money and testifying against bigger fish absolve these witnesses of their sins? Or are we simply giving them a free pass while ordinary Filipinos continue to wade through floods — both literal and political?

This flood control scandal isn’t just about billions lost; it’s about trust eroded. Every peso pocketed was a peso stolen from communities left vulnerable to calamities. And now, the very people who helped drain public coffers are being shielded from prosecution.

Justice should never be reduced to a bargaining chip.

Do you agree that these personalities deserve to be considered state witnesses — or do you think this simply gives them a free pass?

Billions lost, millions trickling back, and the public is left asking who really wins in this flood of scandals?

(Image: Senate of the Philippines | Facebook)