Filipino officials are suspected of casino fraud

A money laundering scandal has emerged in the Philippines involving former engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bulacan province.

Allegedly, the officials, who are called the "Bulak Group of Contractors," earned more than a billion pesos (about 18.3 USD) through fraudulent schemes used in casinos between August 31, 2023 and April 4, 2025.

Senator Panfilo Lacson gave a speech, stating that the “group of contractors" included: Bulkan's chief former engineer Henry Alcantaru, former Assistant to Chief Engineer Bryce Erickson Arundez, Head of the Construction Department Jaypee Mendoza, DPWH Category II engineer Arjea Domasiga and contractor Edrica San Diego.

Lacson sent the names and aliases of the group to the Anti-Money Laundering Council so that measures could be taken to freeze assets related to the fraud.