COA: Ex-DPWH execs in Bulacan face graft raps over P390-M ghost projects

The Commission on Audit said former officers of the DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office may face graft and corruption charges after it submitted to the Ombudsman its findings on four "ghost" flood control projects in the province worth almost P390 million.

Based on its fraud audit findings, state auditors identified the following as ghost projects:

1. Control structure on Angat River, Sipat Section, Plaridel, Bulacan by Wawao Builders, worth P92.6 million
2. Slope protection structure and waterways, Batangay Bunsuran, Pandi, Bulcan by TopNOtch Catalyst Builders, Inc. and One Frame Construction, Inc. worth P98.9 million
3. Construction/improvement of slope protection structure and waterways on Bocaue River, Barangay Bambang by TopNotch and One Frame worth P98,999,012.87
4. Construction/improvement of slope protection structure and waterways on Bocaue River, Barangay Bambang by TopNotch and One Frame worth P98,999,038.556

“The individuals involved may face charges for graft and corruption under RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), malversation, and falsification of documents under the Revised Penal Code, as well as violations of COA Circular No. 2009-001 and the Government Procurement Reform Act,” COA said.

Among the persons that COA mentioned its fraud audit reports turned over to the Ombudsman were former district engineer Henry Alcantara and former assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez.

Sipat section

According to the COA fraud audit, the flood control project at the Sipat Section in Plaridel was reported completed last June 11, 2024, on the Sumbong sa Pangulo website.

"Yet during COA's inspection last September 10, 2025, the team observed that construction was still ongoing," COA said in a statement.

"Historical satellite imagery as of April 7, 2025, further showed no flood control structure at the site, prompting COA to conclude that the project is a ghost project," it added.

Those found liable for this project include Alcantara, BAC Chairperson Ernesto C. Galang, and Mark Allan V. Arevalo of Wawao Builders.

Pandi

As regards the supposed flood control project in Pandi, the COA said the Bulacan 1st DEO representatives pointed COA to a different project location, but the said area did not match the approved bid plan or any other plan available 10 COA.

COA said that this was another "ghost project" because the location identified by the district engineering office was a different project altogether.

"Even assuming it was the correct project, changing the project location requires DPWH- Bulacan 1st DEO to follow certain requirements stated in RA No. 9184. Yet, none of the requirements were followed by DPWH-Bulacan 1st DEO," COA said.

COA said those found liable for the project were Alcantara, Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, Engineer II Jolo Mari V. Tayao, Engineer II Lemuel Ephraim SD. Roque, Engineer II John Michael E. Ramos, Planning and Design Chief Ernesto G. Galang and TopNotch Catalyst Builders Inc./One Frame Construction Inc.'s Managing Officer Gian Carlo Galang well as the company's officers and members of the board.

Slope protection on Bocaue River

Two items on the construction and improvement of slope protection on the Bocaue River in Barangay Bambang were also found to be non-existent.

COA found that both projects' designated sites already had an existing slope protection structure weeks before the contractor's official start date of April 23, 2024.

It added that the district engineering office again pointed to mismatched sites.

Disallowance

COA added that a Notice of Disallowance was previously issued to DPWH Bulacan 1 DEO for the agency's failure to submit the disbursement vouchers and supporting documents in a timely manner.

Those found liable include, Alcantara, Hernandez, Galang, Morales, Quality Assurance Section Chief Norberto L. Santos, Maintenance Section Chief Jaime R. Hernandez, Construction Section Chief Jaypee D. Mendoza and Top Notch Catalyst Builders Inc./One Frame Construction Inc.'s Managing Officer Gian Carlo Galang well as the company's officers and members of the board.

GMA News Online is trying to get comments from those mentioned and will publish as soon as they are available. –NB, GMA Integrated News