DPWH finds Bulacan engineer guilty of grave misconduct, gross neglect
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways found dismissed Bulacan First District engineer Henry Alcantara guilty of grave misconduct and gross neglect in the performance of his duties, the agency said.
Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan filed a motu proprio complaint against Alcantara after the engineer was tied to a P55-million alleged ghost project in Bulacan.
“Respondent Henry C. Alcantara, former District Engineer, is found guilty as charged of the administrative offenses of Disloyalty to the Republic of the Philippines and to the Filipino People, Grave Misconduct, Gross Neglect in the Performance of Duty, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service,” newly installed DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said in the administrative-case decision.
The decision is the basis for Alcantara’s dismissal, which Dizon had announced earlier. Alcantara was preventively suspended afterward.
Basis of the ruling. The decision cited a river wall in Baliwag, Bulacan, that Alcantara had marked complete but which, upon inspection by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., showed no structure had been built.
The ruling also referenced a Supreme Court decision noting that the Civil Service Commission does not have a fixed definition of a grave offense, but that anything that tarnishes the image and integrity of an institution could qualify.
“Respondent's failure to safeguard public interest resulting in the payment of 'ghost' projects tarnished the image and integrity of DPWH. Different social media platforms subjected DPWH to ridicule, humillation, and disrespect. Thus, Respondent should be held liable for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service,” the DPWH decision wrote.
Wider probe. The DPWH is undergoing an overhaul amid an investigation into alleged widespread corruption in flood-control projects.
Several contractors have been implicated in the alleged proliferation of ineffective or fictitious flood-control initiatives.
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