Flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan declared complete despite few bars found

A flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan was declared complete even though only a few steel bars were found standing, a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) official revealed during the malversation case hearing of former Senator Bong Revilla.

According to Maki Pulido’s “24 Oras” report, a video was presented during the bail hearing of Revilla and six co-accused, showing a muddy riverbank in Pandi Town, where the flood control structure was supposed to stand.

The footage was taken in September 2025 by NBI Bulacan District Office investigator Atty. Ivan Samson, who was investigating the alleged P92-million ghost flood control project.

Samson said only three to four steel bars were seen when they visited the site.

However, the project has been declared 95.17% complete as of April 29, 2025, just three weeks after the Notice to Proceed was issued.

Samson said he located the project using geographic coordinates indicated in records from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Associate Justice Karl Miranda sought clarification of the coordinates, pointing out that when the court checked the DPWH Transparency Portal, the listed coordinates differed from the ones inspected by the NBI, although they were in proximity.

Meanwhile, Associate Justice Ronald Moreno of the Sandiganbayan Third Division asked whether the defense would argue that the inspected site was not the same project cited in the case.

Defense lawyers said they could not yet respond, citing discrepancies between the coordinates in the video and those recorded by the DPWH.

While Revilla’s case is being heard by the Third Division, former senator Jinggoy Estrada appeared before the Fifth Division after returning from his trip to Hong Kong, Japan, and Macau last week, which was approved by the court.

Estrada is facing 11 counts of graft in relation to the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) during his term from 2004 to 2010.— Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA News