DPWH issues show-cause order on execs tagged in alleged Bulacan ghost project

The officers and staff of the Bulacan first district engineering office who have been placed on floating status have been asked to explain the allegations that they were involved in a ghost project in the province.

According to Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras,” Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said he had issued show-cause orders, and unsatisfactory explanations may result in the officers’ preventive suspension without prejudice to the filing of charges “if warranted.”

We’re validating it and I think in a few days, siguro, baka dapat hindi lang floating status ‘yan. I have to, nag-issue na po ako ng show-cause order sa kanila lahat, ‘yung mga involved diyan.” 

(We’re validating it, and I think in a few days, maybe, it shouldn't just be 'floating status' for them. I have to, I have already issued a show-cause order to all of them, those involved there.) 

“And in a few days, pagka hindi satisfactory ‘yung ano nila, then I’ll have to issue again ‘yung preventive suspension po nila. Without prejudice, of course, to filing additional cases if warranted,” Bonoan further said. 

(And in a few days, if their response is not satisfactory, then I'll have to issue their preventive suspension. Without prejudice, of course, to filing additional cases if warranted.) 

The DPWH has placed on floating status former district engineer Henry Alcantara, OIC district engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez, and eight others in the district office.

This developed after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. pointed out alleged ghost projects in the province.

“Because of the, based on the perceived anomalous implementation of projects…’Yung sinasabi nating ghost project, ‘yan ang pinakagarapal na sigurong gagawin,” the DPWH chief said. 

(Because of the, based on the perceived anomalous implementation of projects ... .What we call a ghost project, that's probably the most blatant thing to do.) 

The DPWH is currently verifying around 400 projects from 2022 to 2025, this include those from the previous administration. 

Aside from the district engineers, the DPWH chief warned that even higher national or local officials will not be spared if they are proven involved in the alleged anomalies in the projects. 

“Anybody who is, anybody that will be documented po, na-involved in the anomalous implementation of any project, kasama rin po lahat,” said Bonoan. 

(Anybody who is, anybody who will be documented as involved in the anomalous implementation of any project, that includes everyone.) 

On the other hand, the DPWH also warned that the arrest of a district engineer for a bribery attempt on a Batangas congressman means that there should be no room for corruption behind the projects. 

“This is already a warning to everybody na kailangan po lahat ng pagpapatupad ng mga projects, as the President is calling, gawin nang husto ang mga proyekto at dapat iwasan ‘yung mga corruption,” said Bonoan. 

(This is already a warning to everybody that the implementation of all projects, as the President is calling for, should be done properly, and corruption must be avoided.) –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News