AAAA contractor C.M. Pancho clarifies ownership

EYES WIDE OPEN

- IRIS GONZALES

Continuing my columns on the flood control issue, I am focusing this time on how this whole mess has affected even contractors that do not participate in flood control projects.

I sat down recently with Engineer Gerardo "Jerry" Pancho, president and CEO of Quadruple-A contractor C.M. Pancho Construction Inc. (CMPCI), who clarified the company's supposed links with Bulacan 2nd district Rep. Augustina Pancho.

CMPCI, founded in 1962 by Engr. Cornelio M. Pancho, is not involved in any flood control project. It is likewise not owned by Rep. Augustina Pancho, Jerry said.

The company, Jerry said, is a family corporation founded by his father Engr. C.M. Pancho. Their father later handed it over to his six children led by Jerry, the eldest son.

CMPCI is a Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board-licensed company with a category of Quadruple A and is also certified with several ISO certifications, according to company documents.

"CMPCI does not participate in any local projects, much less flood control projects. The company focuses on national and foreign-funded projects and large private contracts for roads, bridges and other infrastructure," CMPCI said.

One of its current projects is the remaining works for the Cavite-Laguna Expressway, particularly Subsection 2 of CALAX covering Governor's Drive to Open Canal. Other works include the construction of a solar photovoltaic project in Bulacan, dams, bypass roads and many more.

CMPCI also said that former lawmaker Pedro Matias Pancho, the father of Rep. Augustina Pancho, is not in any way affiliated with the company and is different from CMPCI's current director Pedro Villacorta Pancho, who in turn is also one of the sons of the late C.M. Pancho.