The National Bureau of Investigation is studying the possibility of rebidding the NBI’s building project in Manila after learning that the P2.4-billion contract was awarded to construction firms owned by Curlee and Sarah Discaya.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the bureau is awaiting guidance from Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on the next steps to take regarding the project’s implementation.
The Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board has revoked the licenses of the Discaya-owned companies involved in the project.
Santiago said Phase 1 of the construction, which covered demolition works and the laying of the building’s foundations, has been completed.
The NBI will not seek to recover the P200 million paid to the Discayas for the first phase, Santiago said.
NBI engineers were ordered to inspect the project’s foundations.
Santiago clarified that the assessment being conducted by the NBI is not a probe into an anomaly at this point.
The NBI targets to finish its new central office by 2028. The project began in 2023, prior to Santiago’s assumption as NBI chief.
After demolishing the NBI office in Manila, the law enforcement agency moved to Quezon City from 2023 to 2024. The NBI is currently stationed in Pasay City.
In September, Santiago disclosed that two construction firms owned by the Discayas – Way Maker General Contractor OPC and St. Gerrard Construction – secured the contract for the NBI headquarters renovation.