DPWH: No special treatment in Davao flood control probe

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Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Wednesday assured the public that those implicated in anomalous flood control projects in Davao would face the same investigation and accountability process as other officials, without special treatment.

“Kung anong nangyari sa mga ibang DE (district engineers), same thing: no exceptions. No exemptions,” he told reporters on the sidelines of his inspection of the sidewalk along the northbound lane of EDSA near Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City.

(Whatever happened to the other district engineers will apply to them as well. No exceptions. No exemptions.)

The DPWH chief also assured the public that the EDSA sidewalk would be widened before the Undas break in November.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday submitted its findings to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on alleged anomalies involving four flood control projects implemented by construction firm Genesis 88 Construction Inc. in Davao City.

GMA News Research found that Genesis 88 was the top flood control contractor in the Davao region.

From 2018 to 2024, the company secured P7.03 billion worth of government contracts in Davao City, most of which were for flood control projects.

Genesis 88 chief executive officer Glenn Escandor also serves as president of Escandor Development Corporation (ESDEVCO).

ESDEVCO contributed P19.9 million for campaign advertisements for Vice President Sara Duterte's 2022 vice presidential campaign, according to her Statement of Contributions and Expenditures.

During the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Escandor was appointed presidential adviser on sports.

Dizon said around 200 cases involving alleged anomalies in flood control projects were now pending before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“So together with the Davao cases, I think aabot ng 200 na ongoing sa Ombudsman ngayon,” he said.

(So, together with the Davao cases, I think there are now around 200 ongoing cases before the Ombudsman.)

“Ang importante, tuloy-tuloy ang proseso, hindi tayo titigil,” he added.

(What's important is that the process continues and we will not stop.)—MCG, GMA News

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