MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said he is seriously considering filing economic sabotage charges over fraudulent flood-control projects in Bulacan.

Marcos made the remarks after inspecting a supposed ₱55-million reinforced concrete river wall in Barangay Piel, Baliwag, which documents from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) listed as completed.

On the ground, however, there was no sign of any construction.

“Extremely, more than disappointed, I’m actually… I’m getting very angry with what’s happening here… Nakaka… Papaano naman, 220 meters, P55 million completed ang record ng Public Works, [pero] walang ginawa. Kahit isang araw hindi nagtrabaho… Puntahan ninyo, wala kayong makita kahit ano… Tuloy-tuloy ang pagbaha doon sa kabila,” Marcos said.

“Pero ito ang ginagawa nila talagang nakakapinsala pa sa mga local residents. So yes, I’m not disappointed, I’m angry,” he added.

The President said that if properly carried out, the project would have improved irrigation in the flood-prone province.

Project Received ‘Full Payment’ Yet Remains Unstarted

Documents show that the contractor, Syms Construction Trading, received full payment totaling ₱55,730,911.60 for the 220-meter structure, which was scheduled to begin on February 2, 2025 and finish by October 22, 2025.

Marcos was visibly incensed by what he discovered.

“Wala kaming makita na kahit isang hollow block, isang ano ng semento, walang equipment dito. Lahat ng project na ito, ghost projects.”

Marcos warned that contractors and officials involved could face economic sabotage charges.

“At nalaman talaga natin kung ano nangyari, ano nangyari sa pondo, sino nagwaldas ng pondo, paano nangyari yung naibigay yung kontrata doon sa mga ganyang klase ng kontratista. So that’s what we’re going to do,” he added.

The President encouraged the public to continue sending complaints through the government’s “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website.

“So that’s why I encourage, napakauseful, napakalaking bagay at napapakinabangan namin nang husto ang inyong pagsulat sa amin, pagsumbong, padalhan nyo kami ng picture, padalhan nyo kami ng video para alam namin kung ano ang sitwasyon doon sa inyo,” he said.

📷 Presidential Communications Office