LAS Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos called on the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to include Sen. Mark Villar, the immediate past Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary, in the ongoing investigation into anomalous flood control projects.
“Senator Villar’s tenure oversaw billions in flood control allocations, and his current position in the Senate raises serious questions about impartiality,” Santos said. “If there is even a shadow of involvement, he must inhibit from any related hearings. The people demand accountability, not protection.”
Santos also highlighted the case of Henry Alcantara, who was appointed as District Engineer of Bulacan’s First Engineering District in 2019 by then-DPWH Secretary Villar, who is now chair of the Committee on Public Works.
Alcantara’s district covered 13 flood-prone localities and managed hundreds of flood control projects, many of which are now under scrutiny for being anomalous or non-existent.
According to reports, Alcantara’s office handled the largest project cost among all DPWH implementing offices—₱28.9 billion from 2022 to 2025. Santos said it would be “immoral and unjust” to clear Sen. Villar, who headed the DPWH from 2016 to 2021.
Santos also reminded the public of a key red flag raised in 2020 by then-Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who exposed ₱469 billion worth of “reinserted” projects in the national budget.
“These were projects already funded in the past, yet they were slipped back into the 2021 budget. Sen. Lacson called it unconstitutional—and he was right,” Santos informed ICI chairman and retired associate justice Andres Reyes Jr.
The Las Piñas lawmaker stressed that the practice of reinserting projects is a breeding ground for corruption, double allocations, and ghost projects.
“Congress cannot allow the people’s money to be recycled into pork for political dynasties and favored contractors,” Santos added. “We must put an end to budget manipulation that robs Filipinos of schools, hospitals, and genuine flood control.”
Santos said Lacson’s exposé remains highly relevant as ongoing investigations reveal patterns of questionable allocations in public works and infrastructure. Lacson is the now the chair of Senate Blue Ribbon committee.
The Las Piñas lawmaker stressed that the current probe must not be limited to technical irregularities but should expose systemic conflicts of interest that erode public institutions.
“Let this be a turning point—not just for flood control, but for governance itself,” Santos concluded.
Santos also linked Villar’s DPWH tenure to the meteoric rise of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp., owned by the Villar family. From 2016 to 2022, PrimeWater secured contracts with 440 of the country’s 584 water districts, gaining control over 75% of areas outside Maynilad and Manila Water.
