Fact Check: How Many Flagged Flood Control Projects Are Actually "Ghost" Projects?
Only 14 of 421 flood control projects flagged for review have so far been confirmed as nonexistent by the Department of Justice — not all 421, despite some public claims.
Claim: all 421 flood control projects flagged in the corruption investigation have been confirmed as fake, or "ghost," projects.
What the record shows: as of the Department of Justice’s most recent public update, only 14 of the 421 flagged projects have been confirmed nonexistent. Cases have been filed with the Sandiganbayan over 2 of those 14. The remaining 12 are linked to two contractors and remain under preliminary investigation, not yet confirmed.
The other 407 flagged projects are still working through DOJ and DPWH verification — being flagged for review is not the same as being confirmed as a ghost project, and the DOJ has not stated what share of the remaining projects it ultimately expects to confirm.
Verdict: the "all 421 are ghost projects" claim is not supported by the current public record. The confirmed figure, as of this report, is 14, with additional cases still under investigation.
Related Stories
Fact CheckFact Check: Claims About National Budget Cuts Circulating Online
Several viral posts misrepresent proposed budget figures for key social programs. Here is what the record actually shows.