Conflicting figures and inconsistent public disclosures attributed to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on alleged “ghost” and substandard projects in Davao Occidental and La Union have sown confusion and prompted questions about possible bias in the release of information.
People familiar with internal discussions said the DPWH is preparing to file complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman against certain contractors and officials linked to questioned flood-control and other infrastructure works.
However, differences between internal tallies and numbers cited in print reports, including those of the Daily Tribune, have triggered criticism and fresh calls for the agency to publish a single, verified list of cases under review.
While both provinces appear in internal reports, local officials in Davao Occidental said the province has received disproportionate media attention compared with other areas that have been flagged.
One provincial official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said they welcome any legitimate investigation but argued that apparent inconsistencies in publicly shared data have “painted an unfair picture” and invited political interpretations.
Officials also questioned why a Davao Occidental project initiated in 2021 continues to be spotlighted despite what they described as earlier impartial reviews that found no irregularities.
Governance analysts noted that multi-agency probes often produce evolving counts as cases move from audit observations to referrals and, eventually, to formal complaints.
Still, they warned that the absence of a consolidated, time-stamped roster—clearly distinguishing projects “flagged,” “endorsed,” and “filed”—risks undermining public trust in both the investigative process and the broader transparency drive.
As of press time, the DPWH had yet to release a unified list of projects subject to investigation. The Ombudsman review is expected to commence once formal complaints are submitted, according to people briefed on the matter.
Editor’s note: Allegations in this report remain unproven unless and until adjudicated by the appropriate authorities. BusinessNews.ph has sought comment from the DPWH and concerned parties and will update this story as responses become available.
