Introduction to the COA Fraud Audit Reports
On September 26, 2025, the Commission on Audit (COA) submitted four significant fraud audit reports regarding flood control projects in Bulacan to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). These reports surfaced alarming irregularities involving personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and various private contractors.
Allegations of Irregularities
The COA’s findings targeted both current and former DPWH officials, including individuals from SYMS Construction Trading and Topnotch Catalyst Builders Incorporated. The focus was on projects meant to construct riverbank dikes and slopes across Pulilan, Plaridel, and Bocaue, which fall under the jurisdiction of the DPWH-Bulacan First District Engineering Office (DEO).
Case Study: SYMS Construction Trading
One of the projects flagged was a P92.88-million flood control structure located along the Angat River, specifically in Barangay Santo Cristo and Barangay Taal, Pulilan. During a site inspection on September 16, 2025, COA auditors noted a troubling discrepancy: the DPWH-Bulacan First DEO representatives directed them to a project site that differed from the approved location.
Notably, COA reported that a slope protection structure was already in place at the approved site well before the project’s kickoff on February 25, 2025. This raises serious questions about duplicate accomplishments and the legitimacy of project claims.
Liabilities Identified
Several individuals were named as liable for these irregularities, including former district engineer Henry Alcantara and several others within DPWH. Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s discovery of “ghost projects” attributed to SYMS, the company has been permanently disqualified from government contracts.
Irregularities in Projects by Topnotch Catalyst Builders
The COA audit also uncovered discrepancies in three additional projects awarded to Topnotch Catalyst Builders. The first of these involved a P69.48-million riverbank protection structure in Barangay Bulihan, Plaridel. Inspecting the site, COA found that the original project site was occupied by a different flood control project linked to another contract, suggesting serious oversight from DPWH officials.
Further Findings and Violations
Additional inspections revealed similar issues with the P98.999-million slope protection project and the P99.995-million construction/improvement of slope protection along Bocaue River. In each case, the COA audit team was brought to mismatched project sites without any justification from DPWH representatives. Historical satellite images further corroborated COA’s findings, showing existing flood control structures at locations slated for new projects.
Consequences and Next Steps
Those identified in the reports face serious legal ramifications, including potential charges of graft, corruption, malversation, and violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act. These allegations are part of a deeper investigation into the management of public funds and the integrity of infrastructure projects in the Philippines.
Conclusion
These revelations from the COA underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability within government contracting and project execution. With ongoing oversight from the ICI and further investigations anticipated, the repercussions of these fraud audit reports will likely extend beyond those directly implicated.
