President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the immediate blacklisting and filing of charges aganst a construction company for a “ghost” flood control project in Baliuag, Bulacan. The directive comes after the President personally inspected the site to verify a report of a non-existent concrete river wall.
The project, which was paid for in June with over PhP 55 million in public funds, was reported to the government via the sumbongsapangulo.ph website. Upon inspection, President Marcos found no evidence of the river wall’s construction.
“Over PhP 55 million was paid for the concrete river wall. It was paid for back in June, but upon inspection, not a single hollow block was found,” President Marcos stated. “This was not even included in the list of flood control projects submitted by the DPWH. Why was it hidden? Are you not ashamed?”
The company, SYMS Construction Trading, will be blacklisted and face charges for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019) and for malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents. The President also stated that all officials who authorized and conspired in the scheme will be suspended and charged.
President Marcos urged the public to continue reporting anomalous projects through the sumbongsapangulo.ph website.
“Together, we will put an end to corruption and ensure that the people’s money goes to projects that are for the people,” he added.
