The Commission on Audit (COA) filed four fraud audit reports (FAR) with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), covering the flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office.
Based on the report filed by the agency, more mismatched sites and ghost projects have been identified, with particular companies.
The report mentioned SYMS Construction Trading, specifically for the construction of a concrete slope protection structure that spans 70.40 linear meters using 21-meter sheet piles.
“During COA’s inspection, the DPWH COA Audit Team had already issued a Notice of Disallowance to DPWH-Bulacan 1st DEO for paying the entire contract cost despite the absence of any real accomplishment,” the report read. “DPWH’s own Project and Contract Management Application website showed 0.00% project completion and tagged it as on-going.”
Moreover, COA discovered that a structure was made up of “unsuitable materials and exposed steel bars.” Upon inspection, the agency also did not find any flood control structure.
Meanwhile, another project in Bulacan was also flagged as another ghost project during the ocular inspection. Those found liable in the said project include: District Engineer Henry Alcantara, former Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez, Planning and Design Section Chief Ernesto Galang, Engineer Jolo Tayao, Project Engineer Lemuel Roque, Engineer John Ramos, and Sally Santos of SYMS Construction Trading.
The Joint Venture
Consequently, a joint venture between L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc. and M3 Konstract Corporation was also flagged by COA as a mismatched site. When the agency inspected the area, it found that an existing structure failed to meet the project specifications.
“Again, DPWH-Bulacan 1st DEO failed to provide COA with any of the necessary and critical supporting documents for validation of the project,” it read.
The individuals liable for the said project are Alcantara, Hernandez, Galang, Engineer Jaypee Mendoza, Accountant Juanito Mendoza, and Santos of SYMS Construction Trading.
Meanwhile, the project awarded to Darcy & Anna Builders & Trading was also flagged as a ghost project, stating that satellite images showed that “no structure was built at the approved project site.”
The same officials mentioned are also liable for the said project, alongside Engineer Irene Ontingco. Engineer Joshua Roxas, Engineer Prince Deocampo, and the Joint Venture’s Luisito Tiquia, and the joint venture’s corporate officers and members of the board, and Darcy Respicio, the owner and manager of Darcy & Anna Builders & Trading.
The mentioned individuals may face charges for graft and corruption under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation, and falsification of documents under the Revised Penal Code. They may also be held liable for violating COA Circular No. 2009-001 and the Government Procurement Reform.
“These audit findings will aid the ICI in its investigation of irregularities in government infrastructure projects. The Commission further clarified that more individuals may be held liable as the audit progresses, and new information becomes available,” it said.
The new batch of reports is part of the 25 FARs submitted by COA bodies: nine to the Office of the Ombudsman and 12 to the ICI.
