December 17, 2025
MANILA – Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) National Capital Region Regional Director, Engr. Gerard Opulencia has turned over P40 million to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
That amount partly fulfilled his commitment to give back P150 million from anomalous DPWH projects while he was NCR Director.
READ: Ex-DPWH engineer returns P110M of P300M ‘kickbacks’
Opulencia is still with DPWH but on a floating status, says Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida.
“This is part of his commitment to return P150 million,” Vida said.
The condition for returning P150 million is contained in a memorandum of agreement that Opulencia signed in exchange for the full benefit of being a state witness.
Opulencia is one of the respondents in the flood control complaints, which are undergoing preliminary investigation before the DOJ.
Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said the cases undergoing preliminary investigation are regarding flood control projects in Bulacan.
Specifically, these complaints are for malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents, perjury and violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Also, co-respondents in one of these cases are former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and former Congresswoman Zaldy Co.
Basis of computation
Fadullon said Opulencia did not receive money from the Bulacan projects but he has knowledge of what transpired.
He said the money that Opulencia returned was part of what he received when he was NCR director.
“Actually, his testimony pertains to the cases that occurred in Bulacan. However, the restitution of funds was based on the transactions he was involved in back when he was NCR director,” Fadullon explained.
He added: “Regarding the flood control projects in Bulacan currently under investigation, he did not receive anything, nor did he get any share.”
Fadullon said Opulencia’s testimony on the flood control projects in Bulacan is vital.
“But his testimony is vital, which is why he was considered for and accepted into the program,” Fadullon said.
Opulencia is currently provisionally admitted to the WPP.
The returned funds will be turned over to the Land Bank and the Bureau of the Treasury, which will verify and confirm the amount.
Aside from Opulencia, Bulacan DPWH Engineer Henry Alcantara also turned over P110 million to the government. He has committed to return P300 million. On the other hand, DPWH Roberto Bernardo gave the government his bank account with a P7 million deposit. However, the bank accounts are currently frozen upon the request of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
On the other hand, former Bulacan First District Engineer Brice Hernandez surrendered his Lamborghini Urus and GMC Yukon Denali to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).