The order for suspension came after the criminal complaints of DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon against the personnel filed on Monday, September 15.

It was backed and supported when Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba raised the additional reports of fraud audits linked to the ‘ghost’ flood control projects in the areas of Plaridel, Bocaue, and Pandi.

The movement of the Ombudsman was issued to hinder and stop any possibilities of the accused 16 DPWH workers from obstructing, manipulating, or influencing any measures or actions that can create conflicts over the ongoing investigation, as well as to guard the public records with accountability.

The ‘ghost’ projects in Bulacan are tagged as graft-ridden due to the lack of documents that can testify to legibility, along with evident proofs of non-existence and discrepancy-filled plans.

According to reports, the stated projects in the province have been allocated P 389.6 million.

The order of suspension was press-released on Friday, September 19.