DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Davao Regional Director Engineer Juby Cordon on Thursday appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in connection with the ongoing investigation into the multi-billion flood control projects in that region.
Cordon arrived at the NBI at around 1:00 p.m. and submitted 10 boxes containing documents pertaining to 47 flood control projects which have been flagged by the agency for alleged anomalies.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said they would thoroughly review all the documents submitted to determine whether there is sufficient basis to file charges.
‘Engineer Cordon is here, together with other employees, and they have brought the documents we requested. About 10 boxes of documents which we will examine one by one to determine what really happened with these projects,’ Matibag told reporters.
‘If there is no evidence to support the filing of a case, we will also make an announcement,’ he added.
Matibag earlier claimed that there were ‘ghost’ and ‘substandard’ flood control projects in the region including Davao City.
The NBI director earlier said around P1.9 billion in government funds were spent for the 47 projects.
However, Matibag clarified yesterday that the projects was actually worth P7 billion.
‘It turns out that the P1.9 billion we were looking for the projects awarded to just one contractor was actually P7 billion from 2018 to 2024, So after this, we will also issue a subpoena for documents to the Commission on Audit [COA],’ the NBI chief said.
The NBI director earlier said it would subpoena at least 51 individuals from Genesis88 Construction, Gemma Construction, Agong Construction, the DPWH, and the COA in its investigation.
Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte, in a statement issued several days ago, welcomed the NBI investigation but called on Matibag not to be selective in its investigation into the anomalies involving flood control projects.
He also asked whether Matibag would conduct an investigation on the flood control projects in San Pedro, Laguna, the bailiwick of his wife Laguna Rep. Ann Matibag.
In response, Matibag said the NBI is ready to conduct an investigation if Duterte will file a case and present any evidence.