COA flags 4 more ghost flood control projects, files new raps
Composite image. INQUIRER files, INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Audit (COA) has filed another set of fraud audit reports (FARs) with the Office of the Ombudsman, this time flagging four additional ghost flood control projects in Bulacan worth over ₱389 million.
In a statement released Thursday, September 18, COA said the newly uncovered projects were supposedly implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) in Plaridel, Pandi, and Bocaue.
READ: COA to file more raps over ghost, defective flood control projects
The projects were awarded to Wawao Builders, a contractor that has previously figured in COA’s earlier audit reports.
According to COA, its latest inspection revealed that the flagged projects were either non-existent, located at mismatched sites, or overlapped with structures that already existed before construction began. The audit also cited missing documents, questionable change orders, and multiple violations of procurement laws.
Plaridel project found non-existent
One of the projects—awarded to Wawao Builders—involved the construction of a flood control structure along the Angat River in Barangay Sipat, Plaridel.
Despite being marked “completed” on the Sumbong sa Pangulo website as of June 11, 2024, auditors found that construction was still ongoing when they visited the site on September 10, 2025. Historical satellite imagery from April 2025 also showed no structure present.
COA said the lack of required supporting documents further confirmed its assessment that the project was “non-existent.” Those found liable include District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara, Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairperson Ernesto C. Galang, and Wawao Builders representative Mark Allan V. Arevalo.
Wawao Builders was among the top contractors identified by the DPWH as having received the highest number of flood control projects from July 2022 to May 2025—a list previously disclosed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
READ: Marcos bares 15 contractors bag P100-B flood control deals: ‘Disturbing’
More charges, more reports expected
COA said the individuals identified may face criminal charges for graft and corruption under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), malversation and falsification of documents under the Revised Penal Code, and violations of procurement laws, including RA 9184 and COA Circular No. 2009-001.
The commission also clarified that “the initial list of liable persons is not final and may expand as the audit progresses or new information becomes available.”
These new findings are part of COA’s expanded fraud audit ordered by Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba on August 12, covering all DPWH flood control projects in Bulacan from July 1, 2022 to May 30, 2025. The probe was launched in response to President Marcos’ directive to investigate flood control anomalies nationwide.
“This action aligns with a directive from Chairperson Cordoba,” COA said. “As COA fulfills its mandate and answers President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for the proper use of public funds, the public can expect more fraud audit reports to be filed with the Ombudsman.”
Earlier this month, COA filed a separate batch of fraud audit reports involving five other projects in Calumpit and Baliuag, also found to be either “non-existent” or substandard.
READ: COA files in Ombudsman fraud audit report on Bulacan flood control projects
Those projects were contracted to Wawao Builders, St. Timothy Construction Corporation—linked to contractor Sarah Discaya—and SYMS Construction Trading.
