MANILA – Billions of pesos in public funds may have been poured into non-existent flood control projects such as in Bulacan, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) admitted before the Senate on Tuesday, confirming for the first time the presence of “ghost” projects in the Marcos administration’s flagship infrastructure program.
During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s initial hearing yesterday, DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan acknowledged the irregularity when Sen. Jinggoy Estrada directly pressed him on the issue.
“In all confidence… I think so,” Bonoan said.
He added that he only became aware of these anomalies “just lately,” stressing that the department is now “intensively validating” the reports.
Estrada revealed that his office had received complaints regarding supposed ghost projects in the Bulacan towns of Calumpit, Malolos, and Hagonoy. When asked if this was accurate, Bonoan replied, “Yes… This is information that we have received.”
Bonoan further identified Wawao Builders Corporation as the contractor linked to the questionable projects in Bulacan.
Records from Malacañang show that the firm is among the top 15 contractors that collectively secured about P100 billion worth of flood control works — nearly 20 percent of almost 10,000 projects awarded between July 2022 and May 2025.
The hearing was marred by the absence of several contractors, including Wawao Builders, prompting the committee to issue subpoenas.
“Seven out of 15 are represented today in this hearing? And they just simply replied but did not send representatives? I just hope this is not a sign of disinterest on their part because this meeting is called precisely to get to the bottom of this problem,” said committee chair Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo went further, slamming the absentees for making excuses.
“Para hong ginagago itong committee natin — na may sakit, nagbakasyon na, may mga prior schedule. Ano mas importante — prior schedule o itong imbestigasyon na ‘to? Because P544 billion ang pinag-uusapan natin, not a small change, Mr. Chair,” Tulfo stressed.
The contractors identified by Malacañang were: Legacy Construction Corporation, Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp., St. Timothy Construction Corporation, QM Builders, EGB Construction Corporation, Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc., Centerways Construction and Development Inc., Sunwest, Inc., Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp., Triple 8 Construction & Supply Inc., Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp., Wawao Builders, MG Samidan Construction, L.R. Tiqui Builders Inc., and Road Edge Trading & Development Services.
Only Legacy Construction Corporation, QM Builders, EGB Construction Corporation, Centerways Construction and Development Inc., Triple 8 Construction & Supply Inc., MG Samidan Construction, and Road Edge Trading & Development Services were represented at the hearing./PN
