Top Davao flood-control contractor tied to VP Sara Duterte donor, ex-Rody adviser

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The top flood-control contractor in the Davao region has several ties to the Duterte family, according to government documents and previous investigative reports.

In a report on Saksi, Jonathan Andal said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has summoned DPWH Region XI Director Juby Blancaver-Cordon to appear at its office on Sept. 24.

Cordon was asked to bring documents in connection with the NBI's investigation into alleged anomalous flood-control projects in the region, particularly those in the congressional district of Davao City Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte.

GMA News tried to get Cordon's statement, but she has yet to respond.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, meanwhile, has ordered all regional directors to cooperate with law enforcement agencies investigating the projects.

“We will cooperate with all our law enforcement agencies in any ongoing or new investigation... full cooperation from all DPWH personnel,” Dizon said.

Dizon said the DPWH had already submitted documents to the Office of the Ombudsman concerning projects not only in Davao City but also in other parts of the country.

The NBI subpoena lists 47 projects where red flags were allegedly identified. One contractor appears in all of the projects: Genesis88 Construction Inc.

GMA News Research found that Genesis88 is the top flood-control contractor in the Davao region.

From 2018 to 2024, Genesis88 secured P7.03 billion worth of government contracts in Davao City, most of them for flood-control projects.

According to the company's 2026 general information sheet, the Escandor family holds key positions in Genesis88.

Its chief executive officer is Glenn Escandor, who also serves as president of Escandor Development Corporation (ESDEVCO).

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

During former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration, Escandor was appointed presidential adviser on sports. (PCIJ.org)

Data from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) showed that Genesis88's government contracts increased substantially during the latter part of Rodrigo Duterte's presidency, reaching P1.9 billion in 2022. (PCIJ.org)

Genesis88 also shares an address with Riftside Artworks Inc., a business listed in Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte's 2024 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

GMA News is still trying to get statements from Genesis88 and Escandor. — Jean Mangaluz/MCG, GMA News