Senate probe flags ‘ghost’ flood‑control projects; DPWH, COA move as Palace orders blacklisting

MANILA — 21 Aug 2025. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee opened a motu proprio inquiry this week into alleged corruption in flood‑control projects, with Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan acknowledging reports of “ghost” projects in Bulacan and committing to submit financial and physical validation reports to the committee.

The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered a fraud audit focused on Bulacan flood‑control items, following public complaints lodged through the new “Sumbong sa Pangulo” portal. COA has begun collecting “critical” field documents as part of the probe.

At the opening hearing on 19 August, more than half of the 15 invited contractors did not appear. The committee will subpoena the absentees.

On 20 August, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inspected a Bulacan site where a ₱55‑million riverwall was recorded as complete but found missing on the ground. He ordered the relevant contractor blacklisted and directed that charges be prepared. Authorities identified SYMS Construction Trading in connection with the Baliwag case. Philippine Coast GuardGMA NetworkABS-CBN

In the Senate, Bonoan also said one contractor, Wawao Builders, bagged 85 projects worth about ₱5.971 billion in Bulacan out of roughly ₱9 billion in awards nationwide since 2022, figures now under validation by the department. GMA NetworkPhilstar

Indigenous context: Bulacan and neighbouring Sierra Madre foothills include Dumagat‑Remontado (Indigenous) communities who are highly exposed to storms and flooding…. thus, ensuring flood‑control money reaches actual works is a risk‑reduction priority for Indigenous peoples living along rivers and watersheds.