9:19 p.m. February 13, 2026

THE Commission on Audit (COA) has filed four Fraud Audit Reports (FARs) before the Office of the Ombudsman involving more than ₱275 million worth of flood control projects in Bulacan, citing alleged ghost projects, unauthorized site relocations, payments for pre-existing structures, and serious documentation deficiencies.

The projects were implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)–Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and awarded to SYMS Construction Trading and Wawao Builders.

COA said the filing of the cases underscores its commitment to transparency and accountability to ensure that public funds intended for flood mitigation are properly used.

Based on physical inspections, geotagged photographs, and historical satellite imagery, state auditors reported recurring irregularities:

Ghost projects: No flood control or riverbank protection structures were found at approved project sites, despite reports that the projects were completed or substantially accomplished.

Unauthorized relocation of sites: In several instances, DPWH representatives allegedly led inspectors to locations different from those specified in approved plans and contracts, without revised plans or written authority.

Payments for pre-existing structures: Satellite imagery showed that some riverbank protection structures already existed prior to contract effectivity, raising the possibility that payments were made for works not newly constructed.

Documentation deficiencies: Required documents, including as-built plans, detailed cost breakdowns, Statements of Work Accomplished, and approved master plans, were either incomplete or missing, undermining the credibility of reported accomplishments and payments.

Audit Coverage

The fraud audit stemmed from a directive issued on Aug. 12, 2025 by COA Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba ordering an immediate review of DPWH flood control projects in Bulacan covering July 1, 2022 to May 30, 2025, following public concerns over alleged ghost projects and corruption.

Disputed Projects

Hagonoy, Bulacan (SYMS Construction Trading)

The ₱67.55-million project involved the construction of a reinforced concrete flood control structure at Barangay Santa Monica (Purok 6 to Purok 7). COA reported that no such structure was found at the designated site despite the project being declared 100 percent complete as of June 11, 2024 and fully paid by June 19, 2024. Auditors also noted indications of unauthorized site changes and missing required documents.

Pandi, Bulacan (SYMS Construction Trading)

The ₱39.60-million riverbank protection project at Barangay Malibong Bata was allegedly built at a location different from that specified in approved engineering plans, without documented authority for relocation. Structures found at both the approved and identified sites could not be conclusively linked to the contract. Several key documents were also missing.

Baliuag, Bulacan (Wawao Builders)

The ₱72.37-million Phase IV riverbank protection project at Barangay San Roque was reportedly constructed at a site different from that indicated in the approved bid plans. The structure bore markings corresponding to another project. Geotagged progress photos used to support payments were taken before the issuance of the Notice to Proceed and pointed to a different barangay. COA also cited overlapping project locations with another flood control contract and incomplete documentation.

Plaridel, Bulacan (Wawao Builders)

The ₱96.50-million flood control structure along the Angat River in the Lumang Bayan section was found to have existing structures at the site at least 90 days before contract effectivity, based on satellite imagery and inspection. The structures bore markings of different contract IDs and differed in design from approved plans. Despite this, the project was reported 100 percent complete within 65 days from contract effectivity. Auditors again noted missing supporting documents.

Possible Violations

COA said those involved may face charges for violations of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as malversation and falsification of documents under the Revised Penal Code. Possible violations of COA Circular No. 2009-001 were also cited.

The audit body said additional reports may be filed with the Ombudsman as investigations continue, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for transparency and accountability in government spending.

2:11 p.m. February 12, 2026

WITH over four million installations in 2025 alone, inDrive ranked fourth among the most downloaded travel apps in the Philippines, according to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower. 

This ranking underscores Filipino users’ growing demand for inDrive to expand beyond ride-hailing as it evolves into a mobility super app.

inDrive also remained the world’s second most downloaded ride-hailing app for the fourth straight year. It also climbed from fifth to fourth place among the top travel apps globally and topped this category in Pakistan, Peru, Egypt, Morocco, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, and Zimbabwe.

Reflecting on this milestone, inDrive Founder and CEO Arsen Tomsky said, “This recognition reflects the trust people place in our platform and the continued dedication of our global team. As inDrive evolves into a super app, we remain focused on our core principles of fairness, transparency, and user choice while expanding access to services that make a meaningful difference in people’s daily lives.”

Full Speed Ahead as inDrive Evolves into a SuperApp

With inDrive growing its user base year-on-year, the app has begun expanding its services beyond ride-hailing in other key markets. Among these new offerings is inDrive.Ads, an in-app advertising platform. By generating new income streams, inDrive can keep its take rate among the lowest in the industry while supporting long-term sustainability for riders, drivers, and local communities. 

Now live in 20 countries, including the Philippines, inDrive.Ads plans to expand to all global markets within this year. On inDrive.Ads, ads appear across various screens in the funnel and include multiple-dimension banners featuring graphics and animation, with transparent measurement tools built in.

Tomsky said in a statement, “Diversifying our business with a high-margin stream like Ads is an important step for inDrive. This new line gives us more flexibility to fund affordability at scale.”

Sofia Guinto, inDrive Philippines Country Representative, echoed similar sentiments, saying, “inDrive.Ads is our way of championing fairness and accessibility on all facets of our SuperApp. Through this, we can maintain fares that are both affordable for passengers and lucrative for our drivers and create equal opportunities for more people and brands.”

Beyond its global launch of inDrive.Ads, inDrive has also expanded into intercity transportation, courier and grocery delivery, and financial services in other global markets. These new services utilize artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to fix mapping gaps, improve ETA accuracy, anticipate user needs, and personalize solutions. Through these AI-powered offerings, inDrive continues to drive innovation while still giving users the freedom of choice in every ride.

Throughout the rest of 2026, inDrive will continue to update its features and grow its user base, becoming a true mobility superapp. Amid this shift, it ensures that all rollouts will be built around fairness, opportunity, and people’s real needs. For more updates on inDrive’s new offerings available in the Philippines, visit www.inDrive.com or follow @inDrive.ph on social media.

8:49 p.m. February 11, 2026

Transport network vehicle services (TNVS) riders and drivers receive above the mandated minimum wage in the Philippines, according to a recent study commissioned by the International Labor Organization (ILO).

In the “2025 Platform Work Survey: Philippines” presented during the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) 2026 National Tripartite Conference, it also noted that digital platforms are a major source of livelihood in the country because of the flexible working arrangements they offer.

According to the survey that covered 12 out of 17 regions in the country, the average net earnings of a TNVS rider or driver per week reach P6,704.00, net of costs, as opposed to the average minimum wage of approximately P498 to P695 per day or P4865 weekly set by the government. 

The survey was conducted from June to December 2025 and interviewed 400 respondents from nine platforms providing food delivery, logistics and parcel delivery, and ride-hailing services. It has a margin of error of 5 percent.

The ILO commissioned a comprehensive survey on platform work, including delivery and TNVS riders and drivers, to analyze the working conditions of workers in the platform economy, document labor practices, assess the impact of digital platforms on employment, and inform enterprise formalization and social protection strategies.

Based on the ILO study, nearly 90 percent of the riders and drivers indicated that they have access to social protection provided by the platform, including health insurance, insurance for workplace injury, and pension plan or retirement benefit. 

Among the top reasons the TNVS riders considered for choosing this industry are flexibility, which allows them to select their schedules and attend to family and personal matters, and decent earnings, which they deemed better than other available jobs.

According to riders and drivers, there are platform initiatives to improve their working conditions, such as increasing earnings and incentives, enhancing training and safety, and improving operational support and communication channels.

The study also noted that ride-hailing app platforms are specifically focusing on facilitating mandatory government benefits—Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG—to their drivers.