A war of words erupted between ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio and Davao City First District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte over alleged irregularities in more than ₱4.3 billion worth of flood control projects implemented in Davao City between 2019 and 2022.
Tinio, who serves as House Deputy Minority Leader, claimed that 80 out of 121 flood control contracts in the Davao and Matina Rivers showed “red flags” based on data obtained from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and budget documents.
According to Tinio, the projects were marred by issues such as double funding, location changes, and possible overpricing. He also alleged that the funds were largely sourced from “congressional insertions” not part of the original national budget.
The solon identified several contractors involved in the questioned projects, including Rely Construction & Supply Inc., Legacy Construction Corporation, Abu Construction, St. Timothy Construction, Alpha and Omega Construction, and Alfrego Builders.
Tinio urged the Commission on Audit (COA), the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), and the Office of the Ombudsman to launch an investigation, warning that the irregularities could amount to billions in public funds wasted.
Rep. Paolo Duterte immediately rejected Tinio’s accusations, branding them as “baseless and politically motivated.” He insisted that all flood control projects in Davao City were real, verified, and fully operational.
“There are no ghost projects in Davao. The evidence is here — concrete, strong, and in use. These structures have long served residents who used to suffer from constant flooding,” Duterte said in a mix of English and Cebuano.
The lawmaker added that both the DPWH and COA had inspected and validated the completed projects, stressing that Davao “has nothing to hide.”
Duterte further accused Tinio of resorting to “political drama” to gain attention. “We don’t need lectures from people who can’t even fix their own backyard. Stop wasting government resources,” he remarked.
Despite Duterte’s denials, Tinio maintained his call for a comprehensive audit of the projects, saying accountability and transparency must prevail, especially in large-scale infrastructure works.
As the exchange continues, watchdogs and citizens alike are calling on oversight bodies to verify the claims and ensure that public funds for flood control in Davao — and across the country — are used properly and free from corruption.