Ombudsman Opens Probe Into Alleged "Ghost Internet" Projects at DICT
The Office of the Ombudsman has opened a fact-finding investigation into whether government-funded internet connectivity projects under the DICT were ever actually installed, and whether the government was billed for undelivered service.
The Office of the Ombudsman has opened a fact-finding investigation into the Department of Information and Communications Technology over an alleged "ghost internet" scheme, examining whether government-funded connectivity and Free Wi-Fi sites were ever actually installed or made functional, and whether related hardware, software, or service contracts were billed at inflated prices.
Investigators are also looking at who signed off on payments for projects that may not have been fully delivered. The DICT said this week it fully supports the inquiry and will turn over records and technical assistance to investigators; the department separately opened a public dashboard for monitoring its Free Wi-Fi program sites amid the scrutiny.
No officials have been formally charged at this stage — the investigation remains at the fact-finding level, which precedes any decision on whether to file formal charges.
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