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Advocates Philippines
Second Batch Of Fraud Audit Reports Filed Against DPWH Officials, Contractors
Photo credit: DPWH
The government's crackdown on corruption continues as a second batch of fraud audit reports was filed today, Thursday, September 18, 2025, against several construction firms and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The reports detail allegations of "ghost projects" in the province of Bulacan.
Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon submitted the reports to the Office of the Ombudsman. The documents contain evidence regarding ghost and substandard projects linked to Wawao Builders and the joint venture of TopNotch Catalyst Builders Inc. and One Frame Construction Inc.
According to COA Chairperson Cordoba, this action is a direct result of the President's instructions to conduct fraud audits and ensure that those responsible are prosecuted.
"This is infuriating; this is the first time I've seen something like this. This is truly shameless. It's reached a point where they thought they were untouchable, that they wouldn't get caught, that they wouldn't be held accountable," said an angry Secretary Dizon.
Officials and Firms Implicated
The report identifies former District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara, Engineer Ernesto C. Galang, and Mark Allan V. Arevalo of Wawao Builders as liable for a ghost project along the Angat River in Barangay Sipat, Plaridel, Bulacan.
In another ghost project in Barangay Bunsuran (Purok 4), Pandi, Bulacan, those found liable include Engineer Alcantara, former Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, Engineers Jolo Mari V. Tayao, Lemuel Ephraim SD. Roque, and John Michael E. Ramos, along with Engineer Galang. Also implicated is Gian Carlo Galang, the Managing Officer of TopNotch Catalyst Builders Inc./One Frame Construction Inc., as well as the officers and members of the board of the contractor.
Moving Forward
Secretary Dizon stated, "We told you, we won't stop here, and we'll be working with the ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure) in the coming days and weeks."
Chairperson Cordoba also mentioned that COA is prepared to collaborate with the DPWH to properly implement geo-tagging for project monitoring, allowing for a "before and after" view of construction sites. They also plan to integrate systems between the DPWH, PCAB, and other agencies to create a unified dashboard where all projects can be viewed.
Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon submitted the reports to the Office of the Ombudsman. The documents contain evidence regarding ghost and substandard projects linked to Wawao Builders and the joint venture of TopNotch Catalyst Builders Inc. and One Frame Construction Inc.
According to COA Chairperson Cordoba, this action is a direct result of the President's instructions to conduct fraud audits and ensure that those responsible are prosecuted.
"This is infuriating; this is the first time I've seen something like this. This is truly shameless. It's reached a point where they thought they were untouchable, that they wouldn't get caught, that they wouldn't be held accountable," said an angry Secretary Dizon.
Officials and Firms Implicated
The report identifies former District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara, Engineer Ernesto C. Galang, and Mark Allan V. Arevalo of Wawao Builders as liable for a ghost project along the Angat River in Barangay Sipat, Plaridel, Bulacan.
In another ghost project in Barangay Bunsuran (Purok 4), Pandi, Bulacan, those found liable include Engineer Alcantara, former Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, Engineers Jolo Mari V. Tayao, Lemuel Ephraim SD. Roque, and John Michael E. Ramos, along with Engineer Galang. Also implicated is Gian Carlo Galang, the Managing Officer of TopNotch Catalyst Builders Inc./One Frame Construction Inc., as well as the officers and members of the board of the contractor.
Moving Forward
Secretary Dizon stated, "We told you, we won't stop here, and we'll be working with the ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure) in the coming days and weeks."
Chairperson Cordoba also mentioned that COA is prepared to collaborate with the DPWH to properly implement geo-tagging for project monitoring, allowing for a "before and after" view of construction sites. They also plan to integrate systems between the DPWH, PCAB, and other agencies to create a unified dashboard where all projects can be viewed.
Sep 18, 2025
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