JV Ejercito urges probe into alleged collusion of COA auditors in ghost flood control projects
October 14, 2025
Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito called on the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged involvement of its resident auditors in the multi-billion-peso anomalous flood control projects that have sparked national outrage.
During the Committee on Finance hearing on the proposed 2026 budget of COA on Monday, Ejercito asked Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba if the agency has already launched its own investigation into resident auditors assigned to district offices flagged for irregularities, particularly in Bulacan and Mindoro.
“This is not only DPWH, but of course, sila po talaga yung primary agency that really undertook or implemented these substandard or ghost projects, kasama yung proponents. But, yung DBM was also mentioned, may kasama sa DBM, meron din sa COA,” Ejercito said.
“I hope that you would investigate, at nanggaling na rin mismo sa DPWH officials in this First District and Engineering Office na kasama po ang DBM and COA dun po sa kanilang kolusyon o sabwatan dito.”
The lawmaker from San Juan emphasized that while no formal charges have been filed yet, auditors who failed to act on red flags should still be held accountable.
The COA official assured the senator that the agency’s Fraud Audit Office is already investigating the matter and that initial findings would be submitted to the committee once the internal process is completed.
Ejercito also raised concerns about reports implicating COA Commissioner Mario Lipanan allegedly receiving large sums of money.
Geo-tagging technology
To prevent future anomalies, Ejercito lauded COA’s ongoing improvements, particularly in using geo-tagging technology to verify infrastructure projects and prevent falsified reports.
“Kasi po, para maiwasan na po yung pagpapatong-patong ng dinoktor na mga dokumento… that’s how powerful the District Engineer Office of DPWH has become. Kasi, sila na lang magtuturo kung sino ang gagawa na contractor, at minsan kung ginawa o hindi,” he said.
“So with the use, aside from the physical verification, now with geo-tagging, at least ngayon, mas malaking bagay ito kasi hindi niyo na madodoktor ‘to. Dahil ano na to eh— satellite-driven na,” he added.
He expressed confidence in COA leadership, saying he hopes the agency will take decisive action to ensure integrity in the auditing process.
“We have confidence in Chairperson Cordoba and the rest of the COA family. I hope that you can really help us in this scandal and scam that has really racked the nation, talagang galit ang taong bayan dito.”
“I hope that to restore faith in government, kailangan ho talagang magkaroon ng aksyon dito. I am hoping that you would help in restoring faith kasi ang COA, talagang inaasahan natin na siguraduhin na yung mga proyekto nagawa ng tama at maayos.”
Ejercito said the public’s anger over the ghost projects must serve as a wake-up call for stronger oversight and institutional reforms.
