Duterte Ally’s Firm Secures Over P6.8 Billion in Flood Control Contracts
Davao City – Genesis88 construction and Growth Corporation, a firm linked to longtime friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Michael Escandor, has been awarded over P6.8 billion (P6,884,194,257) in contracts from 2018 to the present, primarily for flood control projects. The company’s rapid ascent from securing a modest P289 million in its first year to landing contracts worth over P1.8 billion in 2022 raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and the concentration of infrastructure spending in Davao Region.
The surge in contracts awarded to Genesis88 coincides with a period of increased infrastructure investment in the Philippines and a focus on flood mitigation projects in Davao, a region Duterte governed for over two decades. While the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) maintains contracts are awarded through a competitive bidding process, the firm’s consistent success and the close ties between its CEO, Michael Escandor, and the former president are drawing scrutiny. This development comes as the Marcos Jr. administration reviews infrastructure projects initiated under its predecessor, seeking to ensure transparency and accountability in public spending.
Genesis88 was established in 2017, with Escandor, his wife Michelle Anne, and daughters Irra Zarina and Inna melissa listed as incorporators. As of 2025, Escandor holds a 55% stake in the company, now valued at P27.5 million, and serves as its CEO, while his wife is the Chief Finance Officer. Saturnino Bentulan, holding a 1% share, is the company’s authorized managing officer (AMO) and represents Genesis88 in contracts with the DPWH.
The firm experienced a fluctuating start, securing P289.5 million in projects during its first year but none in the subsequent year. However, between 2021 and 2024, Genesis88 began securing billions in contracts, peaking in 2022 with P1,868,229,061.22 in awarded projects. Bentulan, as the AMO, directly handles transactions with the DPWH on behalf of Genesis88.
