DPWH Davao Region chief called over flood works probe
The National Bureau of Investigation on Monday issued a subpoena to the director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) office in Region XI (Davao) in connection with the NBI’s investigation into the flood works scandal.
DPWH Davao Director Juby Cordon was served her subpoena at her office on Monday, after the bureau had flagged 47 flood control projects in the first district of Davao City, the bailiwick of Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.
Based on the copy of the subpoena dated Sept. 17, Cordon is expected to appear before the NBI’s office in Pasay City on Sept. 24.
The bureau said it also issued subpoenas to the engineering office of the first, second and third districts of Davao City.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag had also named earlier Genesis88 Construction, Gemma Construction and Agong Construction as among the companies to be subpoenaed in connection with the bureau’s investigation.
According to Matibag, Genesis88 had secured P1.9 billion worth of flood control projects in the first district.
Pulong’s response
The NBI chief said in an interview last week: “Merong ghost, may substandard, merong isang coordinate lang with five budgets na iba-iba lang yung title.” (There are ghost, there are substandard [projects], there is a coordinate with five budgets with different titles.)
Duterte had said earlier he welcomed any inquiry into the flood works projects in his district, but said that investigation should not be “selective.”
He questioned whether the NBI would investigate flood control projects in the bailiwick of Matibag’s wife, Laguna Rep. Ann Matibag.
In a separate interview, Matibag said if Duterte has any evidence, “he is free to file a case so that we can investigate it properly.”
