National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Melvin Matibag revealed Tuesday that a single contractor secured P1.9 billion worth of flood control contracts in the legislative district of Davao City Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.

Matibag identified the contractor as Genesis 88 Construction Inc., owned by Glenn Escandor, a former presidential sports adviser. Earlier reports indicated that the company secured approximately P2.9 billion in Davao flood control contracts between 2021 and 2023.

The NBI uncovered the contracts through Department of Public Works and Highways records, noting that P1.9 billion in projects within Duterte’s district went exclusively to Genesis 88.

Matibag said investigators will examine why one contractor cornered projects in a specific district, noting that work on the 2024 projects remains incomplete.

The probe follows resolutions and complaints filed by ACT Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio calling for investigations into billions of pesos allocated for Davao flood control infrastructure.

Matibag clarified that the NBI is not declaring the projects irregular while the investigation remains underway, stating the bureau is analyzing documentary evidence before drawing conclusions.

“If they are not guilty, then we’re willing to make a statement that we have looked into the allegations that there is an issue with flood control and even if it was just one contractor, the work was done properly,” Matibag said.

He added that the investigation aims to either clear those involved or indict wrongdoers if evidence of corruption emerges.

Meantime, Duterte urged investigators to focus on whether projects involved overpricing, ghost construction, or kickbacks rather than simply who won the bids.

The lawmaker said that if the bidding process was legal, completed properly, and free of embezzlement, awarding contracts to a single firm is not inherently illegal.

He also called for an end to trial by publicity unless concrete evidence of a crime is presented.