COA files fraud reports on ₱330-M flood projects in Bulacan

Metro Manila, Philippines – State auditors have filed four fraud audit reports with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on ₱330 million in Bulacan flood projects found with “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 in a statement on Thursday, Dec. 18.

It said all four projects flagged from July 2022 to May 2025 were awarded to Wawao Builders. 

These projects include a ₱77.1-million flood mitigation project in Malolos City, where no protective structure was found at the site despite a record of completion.

A ₱98.9-million riverbank structure in Guiginto town was also flagged after reports that it was not built on coordinates specified in documents. COA said it was built at the opposite side of a river and showed visible cracks and defects.

COA also said another river wall in Bulusan, Calumpit worth ₱77.1 million showed “no evidence of any construction activity” despite a filed report of full completion.

Another project worth ₱77.1 million in Malolos City was also flagged as the structure was located in a different area without authorized documents of relocation. 

Auditors recommended filing charges on graft, malversation of public funds, and falsification of public documents against officials of  Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office. 

They are former DPWH 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 Wawao Builders representatives Mark Arevalo and John Ramos.

They may be held liable for procurement and infrastructure violations and for noncompliance with COA’s guidelines on the documentation and monitoring of government projects.

“These reports solidify our mandate to hold negligent public officials and private contractors accountable for compromised infrastructure spending,” COA Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba said.