State auditors have filed four fraud audit reports with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on ₱330 million in Bulacan flood projects, citing “non-existent structures” and “unsupported claims of 100% completion.”
“COA (Commission on Audit) Special Audit Team found strong indications that public funds were exposed to possible fraud through non-existent structures, relocated projects, and unsupported claims of 100% completion,” the commission said on Thursday, December 18.
All four projects, carried out from July 2022 to May 2025, were awarded to Wawao Builders. Flagged projects include a ₱77.1-million flood mitigation project in Malolos City with no protective structure at the site, a ₱98.9-million riverbank structure in Guiginto built on the wrong side of the river with visible defects, another ₱77.1-million river wall in Bulusan, Calumpit showing no construction activity, and a relocated ₱77.1-million structure in Malolos City without authorized documents.
Auditors recommended filing charges of graft, malversation of public funds, and falsification of public documents against officials of the DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office, including former engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, Ernesto Galang, Jaypee Mendoza, Paul Duya, Jolo Tayao, Lemuel Roque, Sheena Morales, Jaime Hernandez, Lorenzo Pagtalunan, Emelita Morales, Paycee Dimaano, Isiah Galang, Mark Castro, and representatives of Wawao Builders, Mark Arevalo and John Ramos.
“These reports solidify our mandate to hold negligent public officials and private contractors accountable for compromised infrastructure spending,” COA Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba said.