By Brian Campued
After discovering a non-existent river wall structure in Baliwag, Bulacan, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued a stern warning to government officials as well as construction companies who conspired in so-called ghost projects, which, he said, deprived Filipinos of critical infrastructure.
In a Facebook post Wednesday, Marcos said that all government officials who authorized the flood control project in Barangay Piel will be suspended and even charged for violations of the Republic Act (RA) No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.
He added that the contractor, SYMS Construction Trading, will immediately be blacklisted and will also face charges under the Revised Penal Code and RA 3019.
The President also lamented that the project was not included in the list submitted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and posted on the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website.
“Mahigit P55 milyon ang binayad para sa concrete river wall. Bayad na mula pa noong Hunyo, pero sa inspeksiyon, wala ni isang hollow block na makita,” he said.
“At hindi pa ito kasama sa listahan ng flood control projects na isinumite ng DPWH. Bakit ito itinago? Hindi na kayo nahiya! Hindi natin palalampasin ito,” he added.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that the Chief Executive is determined to gather solid pieces of evidence first before taking any action on the anomalies.
“Sa kaniyang pag-iimbestiga, kinakailangan po na may managot at ninanais din po niya na makumpleto ang bawat ebidensiya,” Castro said.
“Muli, mahirap magturo lamang ng hindi mapapatunayan, magsasayang lamang po ng oras kaya kinakailangan po ng Pangulo ng masinsinang pag-iimbestiga patungkol dito,” she added.
The Palace official added that Marcos will make all those involved in the failed flood control projects accountable, regardless of their connection and status.
“Katulad ng sinabi ng Pangulo, malapit man, kaibigan man, malapit sa kaniyang puso, kung nakakasama sa mga anomalyang katulad nito, ito po ay paiimbestigahan at pananagutin ang dapat managot,” she said.
The alleged existence of ghost projects was likewise disclosed by senators during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s probe into anomalous flood control projects on Tuesday.
When asked by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada about reported ghost projects in Calumpit, Malolos, and Hagonoy in Bulacan, DPWH Secretary. Manuel Bonoan answered: “Yes, your honor… This is the information that we have received.”
According to Bonoan, Wawao Builders had 85 projects in Bulacan alone, amounting to P5.97 billion. The company is among the Top 15 contractors that received the most projects nationwide, as revealed by the President last week. (with report from Daniel Manalastas / PTV News)
-jpv
