BBM eyes economic sabotage vs contractors of ghost projects

A "very angry" and "more than disappointed" President Marcos vowed to file charges against the officials behind what he described as a "ghost" flood control project in Bulacan, and to ban the contractor who colluded with them.

- BY ALEXIS ROMERO

Marcos inspected the P55.73million reinforced concrete riverwall project in Baliuag City yesterday after receiving a report about a non-existent project through the website sumbongsapangulo.ph.

Records from the public works department show that the 220-meter project has been fully paid and has been completed as of last June, but what the President saw during his inspection revealed otherwise. "We did not see even a single hollow block or a piece of cement. There is no equipment here. This is a ghost project. No work was done here," the President told reporters following the inspection.

"More than disappointed. I'm actually... I'm getting very angry. This is what's happening here," he added.

According to Marcos, there was a falsification of public documents involved since it was reported that the project was already finished. "Clearly, it has not been completed... So, that's already a very big violation. And for the big ones, I'm really thinking very hard... we will slap them with economic sabotage (charges)," he added.

In a Facebook post, the President said the reinforced concrete riverwall project was not included in the list of flood control projects submitted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

"Why was it hidden? You are shameless," he wrote.

"We will not let this pass. All officials who authorized this project and who colluded will be suspended and charged for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents."

Blacklisted Marcos also vowed to look into the other projects of its contractor, SYMS Construction Trading.