Senator Estrada clashes with contractor over “ghost” DPWH projects: “How Can I Incriminate You?”
• A Senate inquiry into DPWH corruption saw a heated exchange between Senator Jinggoy Estrada and a construction contractor
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• The contractor, Mark Allan Arevalo, of Wawa Builders, refused to answer questions about his company's involvement in "ghost" flood control projects, citing his right against self-incrimination
• The confrontation was triggered by revelations from former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who stated that a P55-million river wall project in Bulacan was a "ghost project" awarded to Wawa Builders
• The contractor's refusal to cooperate highlights the challenges lawmakers face in holding those allegedly involved in corruption accountable and has prompted calls for the Senate to issue a subpoena
A Senate inquiry into alleged anomalies within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) took a tense turn today as Senator Jinggoy Estrada confronted a construction firm’s owner over his alleged involvement in "ghost" flood control projects.
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During a hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Monday, Senator Estrada's line of questioning grew increasingly heated with Mark Allan Arevalo, the general manager and owner of Wawa Builders General Contractor and Development Corporation.
The confrontation began when Estrada directly asked Arevalo if his company was involved in any ghost projects, which are projects that are paid for but never completed.
Arevalo, however, refused to answer the question, invoking his constitutional right against self-incrimination.
The move visibly frustrated the senator, who questioned the contractor's reasoning.
"How can my question incriminate you? Tell me!" Estrada exclaimed. "I’m just asking you where your project is. 'I invoke my right against self-incrimination?' You're just getting us angry here."
The exchange stems from a broader investigation into irregularities in the DPWH's handling of multibillion-peso flood control projects, a scandal that led to the recent resignation of former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
It was Bonoan who, prior to his resignation, had disclosed to the Senate that several flood control projects in Bulacan, awarded to Wawa Builders, were non-existent.
These revelations came to light after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally inspected a P55-million river wall project in Barangay Piel, Baliwag, Bulacan, that was marked as "completed" by the DPWH but was, in fact, never started.
The incident at the hearing highlighted the growing frustration of lawmakers who are attempting to hold contractors accountable for the misuse of public funds.
Senator Joel Villanueva, who also represents Bulacan, joined the discussion, expressing his dismay that such a critical flood control project had not been implemented despite being fully paid for. He described the situation as a "scandal."
Arevalo told the committee that his company began receiving projects from the DPWH in 2019.
However, when pressed by Estrada to specifically confirm if Wawa Builders was awarded the Bulacan flood control project, Arevalo once again invoked his right to remain silent, further escalating the tension.
The contractor’s refusal to answer key questions has led to calls for the Senate to consider issuing a subpoena to compel him to cooperate.
The inquiry underscores the Marcos administration's commitment to rooting out corruption and ensuring transparency in government infrastructure spending.
The government has already established an independent commission to conduct a comprehensive review of DPWH projects and recommend measures for accountability.
News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories that people could easily understand and relate in their lives.
During the same Senate hearing, contractor Sarah Discaya defended her family's wealth, attributing it to over 20 years in the construction business, not special favors from the DPWH. Discaya claimed a viral video of her discussing her wealth was "spliced" to mislead the public, insisting her family earned their money legitimately. Senators expressed suspicion over how her network of nine firms consistently won hundreds of government contracts. The Senate hearing also focused on Discaya's lavish lifestyle, including her confirmed ownership of 28 luxury cars, which she denied purchasing with taxpayers' money.
In other news, a 9-year-old child tragically drowned after falling into a canal in Taytay, Rizal, during heavy rain. The incident, which was caught on CCTV, occurred while the child was playing near the canal with her cousin. After a multi-day search operation, the child's body was found in a creek in a neighboring barangay in Cainta. Local authorities have issued a public warning urging residents to avoid playing or wading in floodwaters due to the hidden dangers.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
