Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson warned that if some directors of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) also held direct stakes in government infrastructure projects, it would be a serious matter, given the company’s longstanding reputation for ghost and substandard projects.
During an exclusive interview on DZRH’s "Damdaming Bayan," Lacson confirmed that several PCAB directors had resigned amid accusations of conflict of interest and involvement in anomalous projects.
“Hindi, nagsipag-resign na sila lahat," Lacson said.
Lacson noted that if Tulfo can substantiate this allegation—specifically that ex-director Erni Baggao, also connected to EGB Construction Firm, owns Wawao Builders—it would be a serious matter, since the company has gained notoriety for ghost and substandard projects.
Senator Erwin Tulfo has reportedly claimed that he has evidence linking a former director to ownership of Wawao Builders, a construction firm allegedly involved in questionable and notorious projects not only in Bulacan but also in Mindoro.
“So kung makakapagpakita talaga rin ng ebidensya at sinabi ni Senator Erwin, meron siya, na ang may-ari ng talagang ng Wawao Builders ay ‘yung sinasabi si dating director [Erni] Baggao, yung may-ari rin ng EGB Construction Firm. Medyo mabigat ‘yun. Kasi mananagot din siya, dahil kung hindi ghost, substandard, at napaka-notorious ng Wawao Builders,” Lacson said.
The controversy centers on Baggao, a former PCAB member who resigned on September 3. Baggao also heads EGB Construction Corp., one of the companies identified by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as among the country’s Top 15 contractors. Reports show that EGB has cornered more than ₱2.2 billion in flood control projects since 2022.
Tulfo, who earlier filed Republic Act 4566, or the Contractors’ License Law, a resolution to review the law creating PCAB, slammed the conflict of interest within the agency.
“How can they monitor, oversee, and regulate construction projects if they themselves are contractors?” Tulfo asked. “Clearly, there is a conflict of interest here.”
Baggao earlier denied owning or having any connection to Wawao Builders, which is under investigation for its alleged involvement in anomalous flood control project implementations, particularly in Bulacan.
Wawao Builders’ general manager, Mark Allan Arevalo, also denied knowing Engr. Baggao during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Thursday, September 18.
Resigned DPWH officials
When asked whether resignation frees officials from accountability, Lacson stressed that it does not.
“Hindi, hindi rason yan. Kasi nandyan pa rin naman sila bilang sila. Hindi rason na wala na ako sa DPWH. Kaya huwag niyo na akong i-subpoena. Huwag nyo na akong papuntahin diyan. In fact, meron na kaming show cause order na ipapalabas. O kaya is-subpoena muna namin kasi invitation yung nauna eh," he said.
"Ang aming sinusunod na procedure, pagka ganyang hindi nag-appear, on the basis of invitation, isu-subpoena na yun. Pag hindi pa siya nag-appear, pwede nang sabihin may pagkakalagyan," Lacson stated.
The Senate, through the Blue Ribbon Committee chaired by Lacson, is set to further investigate the issue, with lawmakers vowing to hold both current and former government officials, employees, and contractors accountable if evidence confirms their involvement in ghost or substandard projects.
