No anomalies in P51-B flood control projects - Polong

The lawmaker-son of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte confirmed yesterday that his district in Davao City received a total of P51 billion in flood control funds at the height of the pandemic, as he challenged authorities to inspect the projects, saying "Davao has nothing to hide."

- By DELON PORCALLA

"If you really want to find ghost projects under that P51 billion — go ahead, investigate it. Just please show all the records, and check on the ground," Rep. Paolo "Polong" Duterte of Davao City's first district said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The truth is there — projects that can be seen, are tangible and can be utilized by Davao City constituents. Davao's projects are built on solid ground," the elder brother of Vice President Sara Duterte declared. He is on his third and last term as congressman.

The opposition legislator accused the Marcos administration and his allies in the House of Representatives of singling out his family and Davao City. “Stop dragging the Dutertes to cover up your mess. Focus on the real issues – flood control anomalies,” he said. “Duterte kayo nang Duterte! I challenge the Filipino people – do a background check on all Makabayan bloc congressmen.”

“Don’t use Davao and our family to divert the issue away from the real issue of corruption,” he added. “The issue of corruption is right under your very noses, and yet you have been vilifying my father. Why the sudden shift of questioning on anomalous flood control projects?”

Public Works Undersecretary for planning Maria Catalina Cabral confirmed Tuesday before the infra committee of the House – upon questioning by Manila Rep. Joel Chua – that Duterte’s district had been allotted a total of P51 billion during the pandemic lockdown.