Former Cebu 3rd District congressman Pablo John “PJ” Garcia has denied allegations that two flood control projects in Barangay Singsing, Balamban, worth P80 million each, are “ghost projects.” Garcia stated that the structures were completed, turned over to the local government, and have been used during floods.
NBI Recommendation
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 has recommended criminal charges against two contractors and several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials over the alleged anomaly. NBI 7 Supervising Agent Gregorio Algoso told reporters on June 30, 2026, that the recommendation was submitted to the NBI Task Force on DPWH Flood Control Project Anomalies and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure. Algoso declined to provide further details, stating that only the task force and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are authorized to comment. He noted that the two projects were referred to the DOJ in December 2025 for preliminary proceedings. Algoso confirmed that the NBI found no sufficient evidence to implicate any elected officials.
Garcia’s Defense
In a Facebook post on July 2, 2026, Garcia said the two flood control projects were fully implemented, completed, turned over, and accepted by the local government unit. He added that the Commission on Audit (COA) had audited the projects. “They have already withstood flooding during typhoon Tino and they were neither destroyed nor washed away. They remain standing,” Garcia said in Cebuano. Garcia stated he is waiting for the DPWH to explain the matter, noting that he wants to respect the agency. Based on information from the DPWH 3rd District Engineering Office, Garcia said the projects were among those initially inspected and monitored.
Location Dispute
Garcia attributed the controversy to conflicting location data between the NBI and DPWH. According to Garcia, the DPWH geotagging application shows the projects are in Barangay Singsing, Balamban, matching the project title in the General Appropriations Act. However, the NBI believes the projects extend several meters into the adjacent Barangay Cantuod, also in Balamban, though they are along the same river. Garcia emphasized that both projects were used during a typhoon and heavy flooding. “That is not the definition of a ‘ghost project,’” he said.
Call for Reinspection
Garcia called for a joint reinspection by the NBI, DPWH, and COA. He also proposed inviting media, civil society groups, bloggers, and concerned citizens to witness the inspection to avoid speculation. “Maghinay-hinay kita paggamit nianang termino nga (Let’s be careful about using the term) ‘ghost project’ because it is a highly charged and emotional term, and careers of professional civil servants are at stake,” Garcia said. “Pasagdi na lang kaming mga politiko, kay (Just leave us politicians alone because) our reputations are, deservedly or not, already tarnished by damaged political institutions. It is the career civil servants’ careers and futures, however, that we should protect from unwarranted accusations,” he added.
