The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee continues to probe irregularities in flood control projects, revealing that thousands of government-funded works may have been misrepresented or improperly documented. The hearing on January 19, 2026 sheds light on discrepancies in project locations, budget allocations, and potential corruption, offering critical updates to an issue affecting millions of Filipinos.
Ghost Projects or Misplaced Data?
So-called “ghost projects” refer to flood control works that appear to be non-existent despite receiving government funding. During the hearing, officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) acknowledged that many projects were flagged because of incorrect geolocation data, explaining that planning-stage MYPS (Multi-Year Programming and Scheduling) coordinates were submitted instead of actual Infra-Track or as-staked coordinates.
DPWH Undersecretary Arthur Bisnar testified that out of 337 sampled projects, 291 were located more than 50 meters away from their reported coordinates, with some discrepancies reaching over two kilometers. Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan admitted that a rushed submission to the Palace in August 2025 relied on MYPS data, though he maintained that the projects were still situated within their intended general areas.
These errors prompted a nationwide re-validation of flood control projects to prevent legitimate works from being falsely labeled as ghost projects, further delaying proper litigation and investigation progress.
Notable Senators Question Key Officials
Several senators took a hard line during the hearing, raising concerns over accountability and systemic flaws. Senator Erwin Tulfo warned that incorrect coordinates could lead to wrongful charges and noted that around 30,000 projects remain under scrutiny. Senator Rodante Marcoleta criticized the reliance on preliminary MYPS data, insisting that validations should be based solely on PCMA or Survey 123 coordinates. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian stressed that projects with misaligned coordinates cannot be considered “shovel-ready.”
Meanwhile, Senator Kiko Pangilinan questioned allegations that DPWH Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar and other officials demanded a 15 percent kickback from unprogrammed funds. Senator Risa Hontiveros raised concerns about a reported fire at the DPWH office in Baguio City, asking whether sensitive documents may have been deliberately destroyed in a possible act of arson.
The Senate President and committee leadership also ordered the issuance of show cause orders against individuals who were either absent from the hearing or implicated in the investigation. These include former congressman Elizaldy Co, contractors Mark Discaya and John Paul Estrada, and Commission on Audit official Mario Lipana.
Witness Testimonies and Key Figures
The hearing featured testimony from several critical witnesses:
- “Joy” and “Maria”, staff of former tenant Ricco Ocampo, reported interactions with contractor Mark Discaya regarding a Forbes Park property allegedly linked to Speaker Romualdez. Discaya denied visiting the property.
- Usec. Bisnar revealed he was forced to seek sanctuary in a safehouse after being implicated, encountering General Nick Torre there.
- DOJ Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon clarified that restitution is not required for Witness Protection Program (WPP) admission, but is part of agreements if funds were taken.
Confirmed Ghost Projects and Budget Anomalies
DOJ officials clarified that only a small fraction of flagged projects have been conclusively proven to be non-existent. At least 14 projects are confirmed as “ghosts,” with charges already filed. Thousands of other projects remain under review to avoid wrongful accusations caused by misreported coordinates.
The hearing also highlighted alleged irregularities in project allocation and funding. Witnesses claimed that certain projects were “sold” or assigned to preferred contractors after release, with some regions reporting drastic budget increases. The Cabral Files, allegedly taken by Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste from the late Usec. Cathy Cabral contains massive allocations tagged for officials:
- Allocable: P401.3B
- BBM 10: P6B
- Senators: P20.5B
- Speaker: P25.6B
The DPWH could not authenticate these files, which are now in the custody of the Ombudsman.
