NBI to summon DPWH officials, contractors over questionable flood control projects

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will subpoena contractors and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in connection with questionable flood control projects in the district of Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte. NBI Director Melvin Matibag yesterday said the bureau obtained documents from the DPWH showing 47 of 100 flood control projects implemented in Duterte’s district have been flagged for further investigation. These projects include those suspected to be ghost or not delivered as well as those that appeared to be substandard and located in similar areas, but have different titles and separate funding. “Out of the 47 flood control projects, about six are clearly questionable based on documents we have reviewed. We will be issuing subpoenas either tomorrow or Monday,” Matibag told journalists. The NBI said it has identified at least three construction firms linked to the projects and plans to summon company representatives as part of the investigation. The bureau initially identified a P1.9-billion allocation for Duterte’s district, which was awarded to Genesis 88, whose owner is allegedly close to the lawmaker. Matibag clarified that Duterte is not among those being summoned for now, saying the agency would first focus on the contractors, and DPWH officials and personnel linked to the projects. The investigation is being handled by the NBI Task Force “Flood Control,” which was created to look into anomalous government projects.