Former Cebu 3rd District Congressman Pablo John Garcia, through his social media account, belied reports made by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag that there are “ghost projects” in the 3rd District of Cebu.

According to Garcia, “Out of respect for the agency concerned, I wanted to wait for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to issue its statement regarding this issue. I know what the statement will be, as I have received reports from the DPWH 3rd District Engineering Office on these two projects when questions were first raised.”

“THERE ARE NO GHOST PROJECTS. These two projects have been implemented, completed, turned over, accepted by the LGUs concerned and audited by the Commission on Audit (COA),” he added.

The former congressman was addressing Matibag's statement issued on 11 July 2026 regarding the alleged discovery of two ghost flood control projects in the town of Balamban, Cebu. He added that the NBI acted as the complainant and that the case is currently being handled by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

NBI Cebu District Office (NBI CEBDO) Agent-in-Charge Arnel Pura, the lead investigator in the case, said they discovered that the projects were not located in the areas indicated in the construction plans.

The official said the agency has issued subpoenas to the involved parties after finding that there were three locations identified for a single project: one from the contractor, another from the DPWH, and a third based on the construction plan.

Pura said, “Isipin mo yun? Isang project pero tatlo ang location?”

Contrary to earlier reports that the projects cost P80 million each, Director Matibag clarified that one project cost P67 million while the other cost P96 million.

Former Congressman Garcia said, “The problem is that the NBI and the DPWH hold differing positions regarding the location of the projects.”

“According to the government's geotagging application, the DPWH indicates the project is situated in Barangay Singsing, Balamban—consistent with the project title in the General Appropriations Act (GAA). The NBI, however, believes that the projects extend a few meters into the adjacent barangay of Cantuod, Balamban, ALONG THE SAME RIVER,” Garcia emphasized.

Garcia added that the two projects are in place and have already been put to use, particularly during the recent flooding. The only point of contention is whether they are actually located within Barangay Singsing or whether they extend a few meters into the neighboring Barangay Cantuod.

“As far as I know, that is not the definition of a ghost project,” the former congressman said.