NBI recommends criminal raps vs DPWH, private firm execs

Flood projects in Pulong’s district

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday recommended the filing of criminal charges against officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and a private construction firm in connection with alleged irregularities in flood projects in the district of Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte.

In a referral sent to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the NBI recommended charges against 12 officials of the DPWH-Davao district engineering office and private firm Genesis88 Construction Inc.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau has completed investigating four of 47 flood control projects it  earlier flagged, and recommended further investigation for possible violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and falsification by a public officer as provided under the Revised Penal Code.

The findings of the NBI did not constitute a determination of guilt and the complaint remain subject to further investigation.

The bureau earlier reported that P1.9 billion worth of flood control projects in Davao City had been awarded to the Genesis88.

Of 100 projects reviewed by the NBI, 47 were flagged for possible irregularities including suspected ghost and substandard projects  as well as a project site that was funded five times under different project titles, but carried the same coordinates.

The bureau is reviewing documents and other pieces of evidence to establish whether public funds were misused and if respondent government officials or contractors have violated the anti-graft law.

Matibag said the recommendation was based on the bureau’s findings and was intended to allow the DOJ to pursue further investigation within the agency’s mandate.