Senator Win Gatchalian criticized the Commission on Audit (COA) for failing to detect fraud in anomalous flood control projects that turned out to be either non-existent or substandard.

Gatchalian pointed to red flags that the COA should’ve spotted, such as a flood control project marked 89% complete just 15 days after the notice to proceed, and fully completed in only 34 days. Another project was reported 46% complete in just 2 days, and 89% complete after 86 days. He also cited that similar photos were being used as proof of progress in various stages of the project’s supposed development.

Gatchalian emphasized that a tabletop review of the documents should have been enough for COA to detect fraud in those flood control projects.

The Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Gatchalian also urged the COA to investigate the possible involvement of its resident auditor assigned to the Department of Public Works and Highways in the ghost flood control projects.

“Hindi ako naniniwala na makakalampas ito sa COA kung hindi siya kasali sa modus,” he said, referring to the resident auditor. “Ang gusto natin, maibalik ang tiwala sa COA,” he added.