Marcos orders blacklist, charges in Bulacan flood control ghost project

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the blacklisting of a contractor and the filing of charges against government officials linked to a ₱55-million flood control “ghost project” in Baliwag, Bulacan.

During an inspection in Barangay Piel, Marcos said the project, which was reported as 100 percent complete last June 2025, showed no trace of construction.

“Wala kaming makita na kahit isang hollow block, isang ano ng semento, walang equipment dito. Lahat itong project na ito ghost project. Walang ginawa na trabaho dito,” the president said.

[Translation: We cannot see a single hollow block, not even cement or equipment. This entire project is a ghost project. No work was done here.]

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had listed a 220-meter reinforced concrete river wall as finished and fully paid, but Marcos found that the project was not even included in the agency’s official roster of flood control initiatives.

“Hindi natin palalampasin ito. Sususpendihin at kakasuhan ang lahat ng opisyal na nag-authorize at nakipagsabwatan dito ng paglabag sa Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act at malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents,” Marcos warned.

He stressed that fraudulent projects not only waste taxpayer money but also endanger residents.

“Kung abutin ng baha ‘yan, laglag kaagad ‘yang pader na ‘yan. Hindi tatagal ‘yan. So, substandard pa rin… Pero ito ang ginagawa nila, talagang nakakapinsala pa sa mga local residents. So yes, I’m not disappointed, I’m angry,” he said.

Marcos ordered the firm behind the project to be blacklisted and officials who authorized the project to face cases under the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“Ang SYMS Construction Trading ay agad na iba-blacklist at haharap sa mga kaso sa ilalim ng Revised Penal Code at RA 3019. Hahanapin at sisiyasatin pa natin ang iba pa nilang proyekto,” he said.

[Translation: SYMS Construction Trading will be immediately blacklisted and will face cases under Revised Penal Code at RA 3019]

The president also revealed that the original contract could not be located, suggesting that the project may have gone through several layers of subcontracting.

“Siguro naka-ilang layer ng subcontractor kaya wala ng record. Eh ‘yun ang kailangan namin hanapin ngayon,” he explained.

[Translation: Maybe it went through several layers of subcontracting, that’s why there are no records. That’s what we need to trace now.]

NewsWatch Plus is reaching out to SYMS Construction Trading for a comment.

Marcos also urged the public to continue reporting irregularities through the government’s complaints platform sumbongsapangulo.ph.