NBI submits report on 2 alleged Cebu ghost flood control projects for case evaluation

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has submitted the results of its investigation into two alleged ghost flood control projects in Cebu’s 3rd District to government prosecutors, who will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to file charges in court.

Speaking to Cebu media on Saturday, July 11, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau had completed its investigation and turned over its findings and supporting evidence to prosecutors for evaluation and possible filing of criminal charges.

“Sa Cebu po, dalawa po ’yung natapos naming imbestigasyon, which we have submitted already to the prosecutor po for their determination po ng reasonable certainty of conviction,” he said.

READ: NBI-7 uncovers two alleged ghost flood control projects in Balamban

Matibag said the cases are now beyond the NBI’s determination of probable cause and are under review by government prosecutors, who will decide whether the evidence is sufficient to warrant the filing of charges in court.

He added that the NBI continues to submit additional evidence to strengthen the cases before they are formally filed in court.

READ: No ghost flood control projects in Cebu – DPWH 7 head

“Andun na po sila sa process. Submission kami ng additional evidence, and eventually, ipa-file po ’yan sa korte,” he added.

‘Ghost’ projects in Cebu?

Matibag confirmed that the bureau’s investigation identified two projects in Cebu’s 3rd District that the NBI considers “ghost projects.”

READ: Worst flooding in Cebu reignites flood control issues

However, he declined to identify the municipality where the projects are located or disclose the identities of those under investigation.

He added that the individuals named in the investigation will have the opportunity to answer the allegations once government prosecutors issue subpoenas.

“They will be given the chance to answer… ipapatawag, i-su-subpoena para sumagot po ’yung mga personalities na subjects na na-identify po,” Matibag said.

Earlier, NBI-7 Supervising Agent Gregorio Algoso Jr. said investigators had completed their probe into the two projects in Barangay Singsing, Balamban, Cebu, and forwarded the case to the government’s anti-ghost project task force for evaluation.

NBI stands by findings

Former Cebu 3rd District congressman Pablo John Garcia has denied allegations that two flood control projects in the town of Balamban were “ghost projects,” saying the structures were completed, turned over to the local government, and have been used during flooding.

He argued that the dispute concerned the projects’ exact location rather than their existence, claiming the structures were built along the same river but that the NBI and the DPWH disagreed on whether they were located in Barangay Singsing or the adjacent Barangay Cantuod.

Garcia also challenged the NBI, DPWH, and the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a joint reinspection of the projects in the presence of members of the media and other stakeholders.

Matibag said the NBI is standing by the findings of its investigation.

“Yun po ’yung findings po that there is two projects that is considered ghost po, based on our investigation po,” he said.

When asked whether the NBI had identified the contractor involved, Matibag said investigators had already done so.

He added that the contractor, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, and other personalities identified in the investigation would be given the opportunity to explain their side during the legal proceedings.

“But the bottom line po dito… they will be given a chance to explain. Hindi naman po natin sila sasabihin kaagad na sila ’yung may kasalanan. Bibigyan sila ng pagkakataon na gumulong ang hustisya na naaayon po sa ating proseso at batas,” he said.

Investigation began in 2025

The NBI first disclosed the discovery of the two alleged ghost projects during a press conference on June 30.

According to Algoso, the investigation began in December 2025 after authorities received reports of alleged irregularities involving two flood control projects in Barangay Singsing, Balamban.

Investigators found that the contract coordinates for one of the projects did not correspond to any existing flood control structure at the specified site. The DPWH, however, maintained that the project had been relocated to a neighboring barangay.

At the time, the NBI said it had recommended the filing of charges against the contractors and DPWH personnel involved in implementing the projects.

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