In his privilege speech at the Philippine Senate, Lacson named what he called the “BGC boys” or the “Bulacan Group of Contractors.” He said casino records show PHP950 million ($16.6 million) in gross losses across 13 casinos in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Pampanga. 

Among those he identified were former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official Henry Alcantara (alias Joseph Castro Villegas), District Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez (alias Marvin Santos De Guzman), Assistant District Engineer Jaypee Mendoza (alias Peejay Castro Asuncion), Engineer Arjay Domasig (alias Sandro Bernardo Park), and contractor Edrick San Diego.  

Lacson questioned a pattern of simultaneous wins at one casino. “Were they really just lucky to win at the same time, Mr. President? Or was this a money laundering scheme? We also have a report — which we are still validating — that their declared winnings were fake.” 

Cash flows and AML concerns

Lacson presented figures for huge cash-to-chip and chip-to-cash transactions. One record showed, “Cash to chips from 2023–2025 — PHP1.4 billion ($24.5 million). Chips to Cash — PHP997.8 million ($17.5 million).” Another showed, “Cash to chips — PHP659.9 million ($11.6 million). Chips to Cash — PHP1.4 billion ($$24.5 million).” 

He said such conversions, followed by minimal gaming, violate the Anti-Money Laundering Act. “The proceeds of graft and plunder are transacted and converted by purchasing casino chips and subsequently cashing them out after minimal gaming, thereby disguising the true source of the funds,” the senator said. 

He confirmed that his office has already submitted the names and aliases to the Anti-Money Laundering Council, noting that casinos are designated as “covered persons” under the AMLA. 

Legal action and reforms 

Lacson urged criminal charges, including malversation, falsification, and plunder, plus administrative sanctions. Even under malversation alone, he said, if the amount exceeds PHP8.8 million ($154,044), the penalty is reclusion perpetua or 20 years and one day to 40 years in prison. 

He also pointed to conflicts of interest, citing corporate records linking contractors to political families. He pressed DPWH to file criminal cases and the AMLC to freeze accounts. “Considering the glaring violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act by these ‘big-time gamblers,’ we urge the AMLC to immediately initiate an action for the freezing of the bank accounts of these individuals and the subsequent prosecution for violating the law itself,” Lacson urged. 

Public outrage and oversight 

Lacson said constituents demand accountability. He warned the Senate must push for actual cases, not just hearings. “In my first privilege speech, I spoke about the flooded gates of corruption. Today, we turned our sight to a darker place — the flooded gates of hell. There, we can find those who rob the Filipino people, drowning not in flood waters but in sins and moral decay,” Lacson concluded.