DTI: Revoking licenses of Top 15 flood control contractors 'in final stages'

The revocation of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) licenses of the top 15 flood control contractors, as disclosed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., is now in the final stages.

This was reported by Trade Secretary Cristina Roque at a press briefing in Taguig City on Wednesday following her meeting with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

"Today was our first meeting with the ICI so we've actually explained to them exactly what's the role of PCAB, the role of CIAP (Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines), and the role of DTI in this whole situation," Roque said.

CIAP is an attached-agency of the DTI which regulates the construction industry. Meanwhile, the PCAB, also an agency attached to the department and an implementing body of the CIAP, grants licenses for construction companies to legally operate.

Roque has placed both CIAP and PCAB under her direct supervision following allegations of conflicts of interest, accreditation irregularities, and potential abuses of authority amid the ongoing probe into flood control project anomalies. 

During the briefing, the Trade and Industry chief was asked for an update on the status of possible revocation of the PCAB licenses of the top 15 contractors being investigated by the ICI.

"Pending na (It's already pending), but we're in the final stages already," Roque said.

"I'm just waiting for the ICI also para in-sync kami (I'm just waiting for the ICI so we will be in-sync)," she added.

In August, Marcos disclosed that 20% of the P545 billion worth of flood control contracts were cornered by only 15 contractors. 

Marcos' pronouncements and his launch of the Sumbong sa Pangulo website triggered the investigation into the alleged corruption in flood control projects involving Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel, lawmakers, and private contractors.

The 15 contractors that the President enumerated were the following: 

1. Legacy Construction Corporation
2. Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
3. St. Timothy Construction Corporation
4. QM Builders
5. EGB Construction Corporation
6. Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
7. Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
8. Sunwest, Inc.
9. Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.
10. Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc.
11. Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
12. Wawao Builders
13. MG Samidan Construction
14. L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.
15. Road Edge Trading & Development Services

Of the top 15, two firms—namely St. Timothy Construction and Alpha & Omega—are linked to the controversial Curlee and Sarah Discaya couple.

The PCAB had earlier revoked the contractors' licenses of nine Discaya-linked companies. 

Roque said that apart from the top 15 contractors, the DTI has submitted to the ICI additional contractors for investigation.

"Of course, the 15 which was discussed already and there are more contractors that we need to investigate further," she said.

The DTI chief declined to identify the additional contractors submitted to the ICI.

"The thing is we can't really divulge also because we need to make sure  that their violations are correct… some, if not most of them, are part of the flood control [controversy] so we really need to know what their violations are so we can also recommend for, we can also revoke the licenses," Roque said.

The ICI was created to investigate the alleged anomalous infrastructure projects in the last ten years and ensure accountability in the use of public funds.

This was after Marcos, during his State of the Nation Address in July, slammed government officials and contractors who pocketed public funds meant for flood control projects. — VDV, GMA Integrated News