NBI summons DPWH-Davao chief

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation yesterday served a subpoena on Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao director Juby Blancaver Cordon as the NBI widens its probe into the region’s flood control and infrastructure projects flagged for possible irregularities.

Cordon was ordered to appear before NBI Director Melvin Matibag in Pasay on Sept. 24 and produce records covering 37 contracts, most of them in Davao City and Davao del Sur.

The subpoena, issued on Sept. 17 and received by the DPWH-Davao records section yesterday, seeks documents and testimony on the 47 flagged projects, which were found to involve possible violations of Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code on malversation, Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Republic Act 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Matibag initially described six of the 47 as clearly questionable based on the documents reviewed.

The NBI said the flagged projects include those suspected to be ghost or substandard as well as projects that appeared to have different titles and funding despite having the same coordinates.

Cordon’s office was directed to submit certified records covering the bidding, implementation, inspection, completion and acceptance of the projects.

It was also directed to submit the construction schedules, manpower and equipment utilization, safety programs, inspection reports, certificates of completion and documents identifying the DPWH personnel who signed engineering assessments.

Also sought were records of the bids and awards committee, including the designation of its members and related resolutions.

The listed projects involve flood mitigation and river revetment works along the Talomo, Matina, Bunawan, Panacan, Bago Gallera, Libby, Agdao and Mamay rivers and creeks, as well as road and drainage projects.

The company Genesis88 Construction appears prominently in the contracts, either as the main contractor or as part of joint ventures with Gemma Construction Supply, Vicente T. Lao Construction and Agong Builders and Construction Supply.

Earlier, the NBI had identified about P1.9 billion in projects in Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte’s district that were awarded to Genesis88, whose owner was described by Matibag as being “close to the lawmaker.”

Duterte himself is not among those being summoned at this stage, with the NBI saying it is initially focusing on contractors and DPWH personnel.

A review of the listed projects by online news website MindaNews found that 26 of the 47 projects are in the first district, while others are in Davao City’s second and third districts and one in Matanao, Davao del Sur.

The same review found Genesis88 named in all 47 projects, either as sole contractor or as part of a joint venture.

It also identified 37 flood control and drainage contracts and 10 road projects among those listed.

The NBI Task Force “Flood Control” is handling the investigation.