The Commission on Audit (COA) has found 13 former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and three contractors liable for fraudulent flood control projects in Bulacan worth ₱342.66 million.
COA Chairman Gamaliel Cordoba submitted the fraud audit reports to the Office of the Ombudsman, citing ghost and substandard projects in Calumpit and Baliuag towns.
Inspectors discovered shoddy work, overpayments, undocumented cost increases, and even a fully paid project in Barangay Piel where no construction was found.
Contractors named include Wawao Builders, St. Timothy Construction Corp. of the Discaya family, and SYMS Construction Trading.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the DPWH is coordinating with COA on further probes, while Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral faces Senate scrutiny for allegedly soliciting budget insertions.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 9, 2025
