Paolo Duterte may be summoned over Davao flood projects

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) may summon Rep. Paolo Duterte in connection with a probe into nearly P1.9 billion worth of flood control projects in Davao City, which were awarded to a single contractor, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said yesterday. If the NBI finds it necessary, Matibag said Duterte may be required to answer questions regarding projects awarded to Genesis88 Construction Inc. The bureau is also looking into the company, whose owner has been identified as a long-time friend of the Duterte family, Matibag said. The investigation stemmed from records of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) showing that around P1.9 billion in flood control projects in Duterte’s district were awarded to Genesis88. Matibag said the same DPWH records showed that some of the projects started in 2024 and were not completed. He said the findings did not mean that the contracts were irregular, noting that the NBI is still gathering evidence. “What we are looking at is the evidence. We are still examining the documents,” he said. Matibag rejected Duterte’s remark that the NBI is relying on hearsay in examining the projects. “This is not gossip because he himself said that the P1.9 billion came from the DPWH. The DPWH is where the information came from,” Matibag said. Earlier, Duterte appealed to Matibag not to make the investigation personal, saying the focus should be on whether the projects involved overpricing and kickbacks or were substandard and undelivered. Matibag said Duterte should welcome the investigation because it aims not only to establish liability, but also to clear people who are not involved in wrongdoing. “He should actually be happy with our initiative because the purpose of every investigation is not only to file cases, but also to exonerate,” Matibag said. He said he was surprised that Duterte was furious over his statement that the contracts for the P1.9 billion flood control projects were bagged by only one construction company. He said the NBI would continue examining the records before making conclusions regarding the contracts or the people involved.