MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Leandro Leviste (Batangas, 1st District) released a list of the top 20 contractors awarded government infrastructure projects in 2023 and 2024 that were funded through unprogrammed appropriations.
Some of those named were also among the top flood control contractors identified by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. last year when he launched a probe into the anomalous projects across the country.
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At a press conference on Wednesday, January 21, Leviste shared that about 30% of the unprogrammed funds spent on Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects in 2023 and 2024 were cornered by just the top 15 contractors.
However, Philstar.com’s own computation based on Leviste’s summary shows that the amounts awarded to the top 20 contractors total about P65.699 billion. If the P213 billion he cited represents the total unprogrammed funds spent on infrastructure projects in 2023 and 2024, then these contractors would already account for roughly 30% of the total.
Philstar.com has sought clarification from Leviste’s office.
Who are the top 20?
According to his summary, Sunwest Inc., founded by resigned lawmaker and former appropriations chair Elizaldy Co, secured P11.03 billion in contracts that were paid off by the controversial standby funds.
This was followed by MG Samidan Construction with contracts worth P6.846 billion, and Newbig Four J Construction Inc. with P4.998 billion from projects funded by unprogrammed funds.
Top Contractors for DPWH Projects
Funded by Unprogrammed Appropriations (2023-2024)
| No. | Name of Contractor | Amount (PHP) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SUNWEST INC. | 11,030,000,000.00 |
| 2 | MG SAMIDAN CONSTRUCTION | 6,846,480,000.00 |
| 3 | NEWBIG FOUR J CONSTRUCTION INC. | 4,998,500,000.00 |
| 4 | AQUALINE CONSTRUCTION | 3,550,000,000.00 |
| 5 | LE BRON CONSTRUCTION | 3,415,000,000.00 |
| 6 | D.T. RECIO iNC. | 3,250,000,000.00 |
| 7 | TOPNOTCH CATALYST BUILDERS INC. | 3,086,000,000.00 |
| 8 | EIGHT J'S CONSTRUCTION SERVICES | 2,960,000,000.00 |
| 9 | SILVERWOLVES CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION | 2,930,000,000.00 |
| 10 | LEGACY CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION | 2,883,562,000.00 |
| 11 | HI-TONE CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT CORP | 2,730,000,000.00 |
| 12 | WAYCON BUILDERS & CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY CORP | 2,479,125,000.00 |
| 13 | QM BUILDERS | 2,375,050,000.00 |
| 14 | ANORE CONSTRUCTION | 2,250,000,000.00 |
| 15 | ALRIE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES | 1,960,000,000.00 |
| 16 | VICENTE T. LAO CONSTRUCTION | 1,928,986,000.00 |
| 17 | C.T. LEONCIO CONSTRUCTION AND TRADING | 1,892,000,000.00 |
| 18 | NEWINGTON BUILDERS, INC. | 1,753,000,000.00 |
| 19 | JJPR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES | 1,725,000,000.00 |
| 20 | STX ENTERPRISES | 1,656,998,000.00 |
| -- | Grand Total | 65,699,701,000.00 |
| Source: Rep. Leandro Leviste's Facebook post on January 21. | ||