MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended criminal prosecution of 12 Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel and individuals linked to a private contractor over alleged irregularities in Davao City flood control projects, escalating an investigation that has flagged 47 questionable projects and expanded to cover approximately P7 billion in infrastructure spending.
The NBI referred its findings to the Department of Justice (DOJ), seeking further investigation into four flood control projects awarded to Genesis88 Construction Inc. and implemented by the DPWH Davao City District Engineering Office.
The bureau recommended possible charges of falsification by a public officer under Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Those implicated include district engineers, other DPWH personnel, the construction firm’s owner and several employees.
The referral marks a significant development in the widening investigation into government-funded flood control projects in Davao City’s 1st District, represented in Congress by Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.
NBI director Melvin Matibag earlier disclosed that investigators had identified 47 potentially anomalous projects out of 100 examined, raising suspicions that some infrastructure works were either nonexistent or constructed below government standards.
The initial investigation covered approximately P1.9 billion worth of projects reportedly awarded to Genesis88.
However, the bureau subsequently expanded its scrutiny to approximately P7 billion worth of flood control projects implemented between 2018 and 2024, significantly broadening the scope of possible irregularities.
Among the questionable transactions being investigated is a project location that allegedly received government funding five separate times under different project descriptions despite having identical geographical coordinates.
The discovery raised questions about possible duplication of project allocations and whether public funds had been disbursed repeatedly for works at the same location.
To establish the extent of the alleged anomalies, investigators obtained 10 boxes of project documents submitted by the DPWH regional office in Davao in September.
DPWH regional director Juby Cordon also appeared before NBI investigators after receiving a subpoena in connection with the inquiry.
Matibag said the investigation aims to determine whether government funds were improperly utilized and whether sufficient evidence exists to hold those responsible criminally liable.
The NBI’s latest referral has been forwarded to Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon for evaluation and preliminary investigation.
The DOJ will assess whether the evidence warrants the filing of formal criminal charges, while the respondents will be given an opportunity to answer the allegations.
Meanwhile, Cong. Duterte has cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about the flood control controversy, insisting that accusations must be supported by concrete evidence.
He maintained that allegations involving overpricing, nonexistent projects, substandard construction, kickbacks and misuse of public funds must be substantiated before individuals are held accountable.
Duterte also warned against subjecting those implicated to trial by publicity before investigators establish wrongdoing.
The NBI’s recommendations do not constitute a finding of guilt, and the DOJ must still determine whether sufficient grounds exist to pursue criminal prosecution.
The investigation is expected to establish whether the suspected irregularities represent isolated violations or a broader pattern of questionable government infrastructure spending in Davao City./PN
