MANILA — Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) National Capital Region official Gerard Opulencia on Tuesday turned over PHP40 million to the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of the PHP150 million he committed to return to the government.

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida presented the PHP40 million surrendered by Opulencia to reporters, noting it was part of the conditions for his acceptance as a state witness in the ongoing cases involving anomalous flood control projects.

DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said Opulencia, along with Henry Alcantara and former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, were “provisionally admitted” into the Witness Protection Program as of Tuesday.

Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said Opulencia is among the respondents in five cases under preliminary investigation at the DOJ concerning anomalous projects contracted by Syms Construction in Bulacan.

The charges in the five cases include malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents under Article 217 in relation to Article 171 Paragraph 4 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC); perjury under Article 183 of the RPC; and violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).

(PNA)