Mark Allan Arevalo, general manager of Wawao Builders, has found himself at the center of national attention after his refusal to answer a Senate inquiry on alleged “ghost” flood control projects.
Manila, Philippines, The Senate’s probe into alleged irregularities in multi-billion peso flood control projects turned tense on Monday, September 1, after Wawao Builders’ General Manager Mark Allan Arevalo repeatedly invoked his right against self-incrimination instead of confirming or denying the existence of so-called “ghost projects.”
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The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which has been investigating questionable flood control works in Bulacan and other provinces, called in several contractors to respond to allegations of corruption.
Senators Grow Frustrated
When asked directly by Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva if Wawao Builders had ghost projects in Bulacan, Arevalo refused to give a yes-or-no answer. His silence and reliance on legal advice drew irritation from senators.
“The question is very simple — yes or no. Do you have ghost projects?” Villanueva pressed.
Arevalo then replied that he had been advised by his lawyers not to answer questions, warning that his testimony might be used against him if cases were filed.
This explanation did not sit well with Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, who interjected:
“My God, it’s a very simple question. Don’t you know if you have ghost projects? Why are you reading your answers?”
Estrada reminded the hearing that even the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), through former secretary Manuel Bonoan, had already acknowledged the existence of ghost projects in earlier sessions.
Suspicion on Wawao Builders
The spotlight on Wawao Builders is particularly heavy because President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. previously identified the company as one of the 15 contractors that cornered most government flood control contracts.
In Bulacan alone, Wawao Builders reportedly secured 85 projects worth nearly ₱5 billion, making it one of the biggest players in the region’s infrastructure program.
Estrada said whistleblower information and earlier DPWH findings pointed to Wawao Builders as a contractor behind several ghost projects, reinforcing suspicions that the firm benefited from inflated or non-existent works.
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Senators’ Strong Reaction
Villanueva expressed disbelief at Arevalo’s evasive replies, comparing his answers to someone unsure of their own identity:
“It’s like being asked if you’re a human being — don’t you know if you’re a human being?” Villanueva remarked.
The hearing ended with senators reiterating that they would not accept evasive responses and may consider stronger sanctions against contractors who stonewall the investigation.
For more details on the situation, you can check out The Manila Times article titled “Wawao Builders exec ‘not sure’ if company has flood control project in Bulacan” which highlights Mark Allan Arevalo invoking his right against self-incrimination when asked about the firm’s involvement in alleged ghost projects.
