The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has formally asked the Office of the Ombudsman to initiate investigations into several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over a suspected ghost flood-control project in Barangay Bambang, Bocaue in Bulacan, valued at approximately ₱95 million.
According to the ICI’s interim findings, no physical structure was found at the approved project site even though full payment had already been released to the contractor, Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc..
The officials under scrutiny include former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, former Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara, former Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez, among others.
The ICI has recommended that administrative and criminal charges be filed for grave misconduct, gross dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service—allegations which carry serious implications for public-trust and accountability.