BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has officially launched an internal investigation into alleged multibillion-peso fraud and kickbacks involving infrastructure projects in Abra, according to Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon.
Speaking during the Baguio Flower Festival on March 1, 2026, Dizon confirmed that a team led by Undersecretary Arthur Bisnar (a retired police general) has already visited Abra to review various government contracts.
- Initial Findings: Dizon stated that investigators have already “found something” and plan to refer their findings to the Office of the Ombudsman as early as March.
- Focus on Flood Control: Activists and investigators are particularly scrutinizing 61 Cordillera flood control projects worth ₱3.417 billion, with at least 10 projects (valued at ₱842 million) located in Abra.
The probe brings renewed scrutiny to several influential figures and entities connected to the province:
- The Bersamin Family: Abra is the home province of former Executive Secretary and Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, who left Malacañang in November 2025 following allegations of a ₱52-million budget insertion. Bersamin has strongly denied these claims. His brother, Eustaquio Bersamin, is the current Governor of Abra.
- Silverwolves Construction Corp: Based in La Paz, Abra, this contractor’s assets were recently frozen due to alleged involvement in “ghost projects” in La Union. The company has also been linked to Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, whose assets were similarly frozen.
- Mayor Magalong’s Push: Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, a staunch anti-corruption advocate, reportedly repeatedly urged the DPWH to investigate anomalies in Abra.
In addition to the corruption probe, Dizon announced that the DPWH is designing a new manual for mountain road engineering. He admitted that Philippine engineers have “lagged behind” in adopting modern practices for sturdy and efficient highland roads, which often suffer from overpriced and ineffective solutions like rock netting.
The investigation is part of a broader crackdown on public works anomalies ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following revelations of widespread corruption in last year’s State of the Nation Address.