The Commission on Audit (COA) has submitted four additional Fraud Audit Reports (FARs) to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), exposing over ₱309 million worth of irregularities in flood control projects in Bulacan.
The reports revealed cases of mismatched sites, ghost projects, and substandard materials, resulting in massive losses of public funds.
According to COA’s statement on Friday, the projects in question fall under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office, awarded to three contractors: SYMS Construction Trading, a joint venture of L.R. Tiqui Builders Inc. and M3 Konstract Corporation, and Darcy & Anna Builders & Trading.
Among the questioned projects was a ₱46.3-million flood control structure in Brgy. San Juan, Balagtas, where COA found no structure at the supposed site. The location shown by DPWH contained poor-quality materials.
In Brgy. Perez, Bulakan, another project worth ₱92.5 million was declared completed but showed no signs of construction upon inspection.
Meanwhile, in Brgy. Piel, Baliuag, auditors discovered an existing flood control structure even before the ₱96.4-million contract was officially implemented. In Brgy. Carillo, Hagonoy, a ₱74.1-million project reportedly due for completion in 2024 was also nowhere to be found.
The COA named several DPWH-Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office officials allegedly involved, including District Engineer Henry Alcantara, Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez, Planning and Design Chief Ernesto Galang, Engineers Jolo Mari Tayao, Lemuel Ephraim Roque, Jaypee Mendoza, and John Michael Ramos, and Accountant Juanito Mendoza.
Contractors identified were Sally Santos of SYMS Construction Trading, Luisito Tiquia of L.R. Tiqui Builders Inc.–M3 Konstract Corporation JV, and Darcy Kimel D. Respicio of Darcy & Anna Builders & Trading.
Those involved may face charges for violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Revised Penal Code, and the Government Procurement Reform Act.
COA emphasized that these findings are part of a broader audit of DPWH’s flood control projects in Bulacan, in response to directives from COA Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for greater transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.