NBI: 1 contractor bagged P7 billion Davao flood projects

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is looking into a much larger pool of Davao infrastructure contracts than previously disclosed, with a preliminary Commission on Audit (COA) report putting the value at about P7 billion for 51 projects awarded to one contractor from 2018 to 2024.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the figure surfaced as the bureau reviewed documents in its investigation of alleged irregularities in flood control projects in Davao City.

The amount is significantly higher than the previously reported P1.9 billion worth of projects awarded to Genesis88 Construction Inc. in the district of Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte. The NBI has identified 47 projects for closer examination, with six initially described as clearly questionable based on the documents reviewed.

“The initial report we received from COA was P7 billion,” Matibag said over dzRH on Thursday. “One contractor had P7 billion worth of projects, with 51 projects.”

The contracts span from 2018 to 2024, although Matibag said the bulk of the projects were awarded from 2022 to 2024. The NBI is now examining why one contractor repeatedly secured projects and whether the bidding and procurement processes were properly followed.

Matibag said the bureau would also consult the Philippine Competition Commission to determine whether the pattern of contracts raised competition concerns. “There are many contractors. Why is it that only one or two repeatedly receive the contracts?” he said.

The NBI had earlier reported possible ghost and substandard projects, as well as projects appearing to have the same coordinates but different titles and separate budgets.

Matibag said officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were being asked to explain the projects and provide supporting records, while the NBI would formally seek additional documents from COA.

The bureau has already identified the owners of the construction companies involved and plans to summon them as the investigation progresses.

Matibag stressed that the investigation is not directed at any particular politician and that receiving projects in a congressional district does not by itself establish wrongdoing by the lawmaker representing it.

“What we will first look at is the bidding process,” he said. “It does not automatically mean that a person is criminally involved or conspired in wrongdoing.”

The NBI director said investigators would need evidence of intervention or participation in the procurement process before linking any public official to possible criminal liability. He added the bureau would continue examining projects regardless of the political affiliation of officials involved.

Matibag noted the investigation remains ongoing and that the documents and testimony being gathered will determine whether criminal charges should be filed.

DPWH Region XI Director Juby Cordon appeared before the NBI on Thursday to comply with a subpoena issued in connection with the bureau’s probe into alleged irregularities in flood control projects in Davao.

Cordon arrived at the NBI headquarters in Pasay City at around 1 p.m. but declined to answer questions from reporters.

Ten boxes of documents from DPWH Region XI were also brought to the NBI as the bureau examines around 50 flood control projects flagged for possible irregularities.

Cordon was subpoenaed to provide records covering 37 contracts, most of them in Davao City and Davao del Sur.

The subpoena, issued on Sept. 17, cited possible violations of the Revised Penal Code on malversation, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Matibag earlier said the bureau found red flags in 47 of 100 projects reviewed based on DPWH records. Six of the 47 were initially identified as clearly questionable, including projects suspected to be ghost or substandard and those that appeared to carry different titles and funding despite having the same coordinates.

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