Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED) </strong>—  The Syms Construction Trading on Monday admitted delivering cold cash totaling P1 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways from 2022 to 2025.</p><p>Sally Santos, general manager of the Syms Construction Trading, said the firm has delivered cash amounting to P1 billion in boxes over the past three years to the office of her Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) contact, Bulacan 1st District Assistant District Engineer Bryce Ericson Hernandez.</p><p>Santos noted that the amount she sends depends on the project. “Depende po yun sa ano [project]. Minsan po ito-total ko yung sampung project, tapos aawasin ko yung part ko…”</p><p>For example, Santos said she once gave P245 million to the agency, delivered in noodle boxes.</p><p>“Actually po yung sa P245 [million], hinahati ko lang kasi hindi po pwede na isang bulto. Minsan po sa P245 [million], 100 [million pesos] tapos susunod na mga araw, 145 [million pesos].</p><p>Santos explained that Hernandez and DPWH Engineer Jaypee Mendoza, chief of DPWH-Bulacan’s Construction Division would borrow the license of Syms Construction.</p><p>There were also times when Santos borrowed the license of Wawao Builders.</p><p>“Since 2022 nagpapahiram na po sila ng lisensiya sa’kin. So ako naman po nagtiwala dito sa dalawa na ‘to na humanap po ng lisensiya na gagamitin po sa mga proyekto nila,” Santos said.</p><p>Mark Allan Arevalo, General Manager of Wawao Builders, said he was forced to agree, fearing that something negative would happen to their existing contracts.</p><p>“Sapilitang ginamit po yung lisensya namin,” Arevalo said. “Ang sinasabi lang nila sa’kin ay sila na po ang bahala gumawa.”</p><p>According to Santos, 2.8 percent of the contract price goes to Wawao, 3 percent to her, and the rest to their cohorts in DPWH.</p><p>Hernandez denied pocketing any of the money.</p><p>“Lahat po ng sinasabi nila ay inutos lang po sa akin ng boss, boss Henry Alcantara,” Hernandez said. Alcantara admitted that there are ghost projects but said he had nothing to do with these.</p><p>“Nagtiwala ako sa kanila because I am not even a member of the BAC. Basta po nirekomenda ng BAC sa akin, pumipirma po ako because it is a resolution,” Alcantara stated.</p><p>Senator Ronald Dela Rosa did not believe him, however.</p><p>“Pinapalabas ninyo you are least guilty at itong mga tauhan mo ang most guilty when in fact ikaw ang distict engineer. Walang mangyayari diyan sa distrito mo na hindi mo alam dapat,” Dela Rosa remarked.</p><p>Senator Erwin Tulfo, meanwhile, asked all of the present contractors if they, too, give commissions to the DPWH and politicians. The contractors said they do not.</p><p>DPWH Regional Director Virgilio Eduarte claimed he never received any kickback from the Discayas.</p><p>Before the hearing ended, Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya said he contacted the people who received money from them and realized that he and wife Sarah, were merely used.</p><p>“Hindi naman po namin talaga kailangan mangutang sa kanila. May pera pa naman po kami. Pero tinesting ko po sila sabi ko ganito pala ‘tong mga manggagamit na ‘to nakakasama ng loob,” Pacifico Discaya said.</p><p>“Mas mabuti pa na pangalanan ko na lang sila dahil unang-una ginamit nila kami pero sa panahon nung kami naman ang nangailangan eh talaga namang pinabayaan po talaga nila kami o hindi sila malalapitan. At katunayan iba po sa mga chinat ko may mga ano pa po, undelivered obligations,” he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C7015A7H8VM?si=9t97JLHQiLgecOF0" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div>

<p>The Syms Construction Trading on Monday admitted delivering cold cash totaling P1 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways from 2022 to 2025.</p>

The Syms Construction Trading on Monday admitted delivering cold cash totaling P1 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways from 2022 to 2025.

Contractor admits sending P1-B cash to DPWH from 2022 to 2025

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Contractor admits sending P1-B cash to DPWH from 2022 to 2025

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 08, 2025 03:52 PM PHT

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Updated September 08, 2025 09:21 PM PHT

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Wawao Builders

Syms Construction Trading

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