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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Wawao Builders forced into DPWH-linked 'license-for-hire' scheme, owner says

Wawao Builders forced into DPWH-linked 'license-for-hire' scheme, owner says

Published Sep 8, 2025 03:37 pm
Wawao Builders General Manager Mark Allan Arevalo, on Monday, Sept. 8, admitted before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that his company’s contractor license was forcibly used in a scheme to corner infrastructure projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Wawao Builders General Manager Mark Allan Arevalo (Mark Balmores/Manila Bulletin)
Wawao Builders General Manager Mark Allan Arevalo (Mark Balmores/Manila Bulletin)
Under questioning by Senator Erwin Tulfo, the committee vice chairperson, Arevalo confirmed that Wawao Builders’ license was being used without their control.
“Sapilitang ginamit po yung lisensya namin… sa takot po, Your Honor, na maapektuhan ang negosyo namin (Our license was forcibly used… out of fear, Your Honor, that our business would be affected),” Arevalo told senators.
He identified Sally Santos, owner of SYMS Construction Trading, as the one using Wawao’s license to participate in biddings, but also pointed to DPWH insiders as the driving force behind the arrangement.
“Ang nasa likod po nito ay yung mga nasa loob ng DPWH (Behind this are people from within the DPWH),” he bared.
Arevalo’s testimony lent weight to Tulfo’s earlier claim that contractors’ licenses are often rented out or controlled by “dummy” companies and even DPWH officials themselves, a practice the senator likened to “in-house construction.”
“They do not construct—they only have their licenses rented out. The DPWH borrows or even buys the license of a contractor, then proceeds with the project. In some cases, they do not build at all,” Tulfo had said last week.
Meanwhile, Santos, on the other hand, pointed her fingers at former DPWH Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez of Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office (DEO), as the one who gives orders to her.
However, Hernandez said he was just following his “boss” in the Bulacan DEO, pertaining to former Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara.
During Tulfo’s interpellation, Hernandez admitted receiving a box filled with money from SYMS. This will be picked up by Alcantara from his office, he detailed.
In the same hearing, Tulfo urged the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to cite Hernandez in contempt for lying about his alleged frequent visits in a certain casino in Parañaque City.

Related Tags

flood control Wawao Builders Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Erwin Tulfo
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