OBANDO, Bulacan – A controversy in Obando has placed several local officials under fresh scrutiny, after a reliable insider alleged that Mayor Leonardo “Ding” Valeda, Vice Mayor Rowell Rillera – described by the source as a godchild of former DPWH District Engineer Henry Alcantara – and multiple members of the municipal council and youth council leadership received both campaign funding and Travis vans from Alcantara in 2024.

The source claimed the vans were turned over as “donations” supposedly made in good faith. But despite the LGU’s public declaration in September – issued amid reports linking Alcantara to the flood-control scam – that the vehicles had already been returned, the insider said that some, if not all, units were never actually surrendered, citing at least one van that was still seen in use.

The allegations extend beyond the vans. The same source said Alcantara allegedly helped bankroll political campaigns of a number of local officials – including the mayor, vice mayor and several council members – though none of these claims have been officially confirmed.

The DAILY TRIBUNE reached out to the Mayor’s Office on 18 November to verify the status of the vehicles and the allegations of political funding. The LGU initially said it would respond but never reverted. It also did not clarify whether Vice Mayor Rillera is indeed Alcantara’s godchild, nor did it comment on whether any officials were financially supported by the former district engineer.

Casino transactions flagged

The allegations come as Alcantara – alongside former DPWH engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza – is also facing scrutiny from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). The agency reported that the three allegedly used casinos to launder or legitimize kickbacks from flood-control projects. Their gambling activities and lifestyle patterns were reportedly inconsistent with their declared income, leading to tax-evasion complaints now pending before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In sworn statements filed with the DOJ earlier this month, Hernandez and Mendoza detailed what they described as a highly structured bribery system controlled by Alcantara. They alleged that Alcantara selected contractors, dictated percentage cuts and transformed legitimate flood-control budgets into coordinated kickback machinery involving lawmakers.

According to the affidavits, Alcantara worked directly with senators and congressmen who acted as proponents of flood-control projects, determined which items would be inserted into the National Expenditure Program and the General Appropriations Act, and oversaw large-scale cash deliveries allegedly ranging from P100 million to P1.2 billion per run. The sworn statements also named three Bulacan lawmakers who purportedly received kickbacks.

Lingering questions

With Alcantara’s government salary capped at roughly P120,000 a month, the insider’s claims have raised questions on how he was able to fund multiple vans and allegedly extend campaign resources to local officials. The source also said Alcantara’s generosity may have been tied to his supposed plan to run for councilor in Bocaue, adding another layer to the political intrigue.

But with the Mayor’s Office declining to address even basic verification questions, the allegations remain unconfirmed – and the silence only fuels speculation about the extent of Alcantara’s influence in Obando and beyond.

For now, the controversy sits in a space between allegation and accountability:

Transparency or token gesture?

Genuine aid or political investment?