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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DPWH refers two bid-rigging cases in flood control projects to PCC

DPWH refers two bid-rigging cases in flood control projects to PCC

Published Oct 3, 2025 11:23 am

At A Glance

  • DPWH referred two alleged bid-rigging cases in flood control projects to the PCC on Oct. 3.
  • Cases involve contractors and DPWH personnel in Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro.
  • Evidence includes Senate and House hearings, DPWH investigations, and COA reports.
  • Alleged collusion points to violations of competition rules.
  • Contractors may face fines up to ₱250 million; DPWH personnel could also be held liable.
Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) officials display documents on the referral of two alleged bid-rigging cases involving Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects on Friday, Oct. 3. Pictured are (from left) Christian Delos Santos, Director of the Competition Enforcement Office; DPWH Secretary Vince B. Dizon; and Kenneth V. Tanate, Executive Director of the PCC. (Photo: DPWH)
Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) officials display documents on the referral of two alleged bid-rigging cases involving Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects on Friday, Oct. 3. Pictured are (from left) Christian Delos Santos, Director of the Competition Enforcement Office; DPWH Secretary Vince B. Dizon; and Kenneth V. Tanate, Executive Director of the PCC. (Photo: DPWH)
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) referred two alleged bid-rigging cases in flood control projects to the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) on Friday, Oct. 3, for possible sanctions under the competition law.
The DPWH said one case involves Wawao Builders, IM Construction Corporation, SYMS Construction Trading, St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and personnel of the DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office.
Meanwhile, the other case concerns Sunwest, Inc., and officials of DPWH Regional Office IV-B.
Documents from Senate and House hearings, internal DPWH investigations, and Commission on Audit (COA) reports pointed to procurement anomalies in several projects in Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro, the DPWH noted.
Despite reports of irregularities in Oriental Mindoro, regional officials allegedly allowed projects awarded to Sunwest, Inc. to proceed without review, it said.
Testimonies before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, including those of Pacifico Discaya and Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, further suggested collusion between contractors and DPWH personnel in violation of competition rules, the agency further stated.
The referral followed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s disclosure on Aug. 11 that only 15 contractors secured 20 percent of all flood-control contracts in the past three years, totaling about ₱100 billion, a pattern the PCC said may indicate prohibited bid rotation.
If found guilty, contractors could face fines of ₱110 million for a first offense and up to ₱250 million for subsequent violations, with penalties imposed per incident.
Those DPWH personnel linked to the schemes could also be held liable as facilitators, the department said.
The PCC will conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the cases warrant formal complaints and further sanctions under the law.

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DPWH Philippine Competition Commision bid-rigging flood control projects
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