Brawner debunks P15-B 'ghost projects' allegations, defends integrity of TIKAS program

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. has strongly refuted allegations of P15-billion worth of so-called “military ghost projects,” calling the claims “deliberate lies” aimed at discrediting the institution.

In his latest column titled “Building Trust, Not Tales: The Truth Behind the TIKAS Program,” Brawner defended the AFP and the Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) Program, a joint initiative between the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which he said is grounded in transparency, not fiction.

“Under my watch, there are no ghost projects in the AFP,” Brawner declared. “Every resource is accounted for, every structure is real, and every project directly benefits the Filipino people.”

According to Brawner, the AFP has no direct control over TIKAS funds. 

The military does not receive, obligate, or disburse the budget, which is fully managed by the DPWH, he said. 

He likewise stressed that the program operates with clear documentation, tracking, and accountability mechanisms in place.

From 2019 to 2025, TIKAS has supported 927 approved infrastructure projects, with 663 completed, 139 currently ongoing, and 136 set to begin. These figures, Brawner emphasized, are not fabricated but “recorded, reported, and verifiable.”

Sharing his experience as a former commander of the 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro, Brawner noted that projects progress best when soldiers are actively involved in oversight.

“We can guarantee that projects are not only completed but done with the same discipline, foresight, and integrity that define our service,” he said.

Looking ahead, Brawner expressed his support for transitioning budget execution of TIKAS projects to the AFP to improve efficiency, ensure end-user involvement, and bolster transparency. He also urged the DPWH to expedite pending projects that directly impact troop welfare and operational readiness.

“Transparency is the foundation of trust,” he stressed, vowing to make project information publicly accessible to maintain public confidence.

Brawner concluded his column with a strong reaffirmation of the AFP’s commitment to truth and service.

“We do not hide behind walls; we raise them with transparency and purpose. The true measure of our defense lies not only in our capacity to build or fight, but in our steadfast commitment to stand for what is right—even when no one is watching,” he said.

The AFP, he affirmed, stands ready to defend not just territory—but the truth itself.