Filing of charges in Bulacan ‘ghost’ projects scandal nears—DOJ

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday said three of the five cases involving alleged “ghost” flood control projects in Bulacan are now submitted for resolution.

DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez confirmed that preliminary investigation hearings for the three cases linked to the Bulacan First District Engineering Office (B1-DEO) and SYMS Construction and Trading have been terminated.

This means prosecutors have sufficient evidence and counter-affidavits to determine if probable cause exists to file criminal charges in court.

“Three out of five cases are now submitted for resolution,” Martinez said.

The remaining two cases are scheduled for 5 December 2025 to allow respondents more time to submit counter-affidavits or supplemental counter-affidavits following motions for extension.

The DOJ probe involves multiple cases of alleged anomalies within the First District of Bulacan, where public funds for flood control projects were reportedly released despite no actual construction taking place.

The investigation focuses not only on former government officials but also on private individuals suspected of “lending their licenses” to fraudulently secure government contracts.

Those under investigation based on submitted affidavits include former DPWH engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, and Jaypee Mendoza, along with contractor Sally Santos.

Alcantara has returned P110 million in kickbacks “to show good faith in his bid for state witness status.”