Lacson exposes ‘BGC boys’ in ₱950-M casino laundering scheme

Ian Paolo Villacencio

Casinos became the venue of choice for a group of public works officials accused of turning kickbacks from flood control projects into supposed winnings, as recalled by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson in his privilege speech.

Lacson said documents and gaming records revealed nearly ₱950 million in transactions involving the so-called “BGC Boys” or Bulacan Group of Contractors.

He explained that the group allegedly funneled cash into casino chips, placed minimal bets, and cashed out to make the funds appear legitimate.

“This is not mere luck. It bears the hallmarks of a money laundering scheme,” Lacson declared.

The senator identified those involved as DPWH Bulacan 1st District OIC engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez, assistant district engineer Jaypee Mendoza, former district engineer Henry Alcantara, DPWH Engineer II Arjay Domasig, and contractor Edrick San Diego.

He alleged they used aliases, fake driver’s licenses, while even posing as contractors to gain entry to gaming floors.

Records cited by Lacson showed Alcantara exchanged ₱1.4 billion for chips and later converted ₱998 million back to cash.

Hernandez reportedly bought in ₱659.9 million but cashed out ₱1.385 billion, while Mendoza logged ₱280 million in chip-to-cash conversions despite only ₱26.5 million in buy-ins.

Lacson stressed the transactions not only violate RA 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act but also the law barring government officials from entering casinos.

“While the people of Bulacan had to deal with flooding because of their plundering which even the President had called out, these BGC boys continued to embezzle the people’s money,” he said.

He added that his office has already endorsed the names and aliases of those tagged to the Anti-Money Laundering Council and called for the immediate freezing of their bank accounts.