Pulong, Martin, Chiz, BBM, VP Sara all enmeshed with ‘contratistas’

Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte got P51-billion “infrastructure fund” in the last three years of his father Rody Duterte’s presidency. DPWH Usec Catalina Cabral confirmed this the other week.

- JARIUS BONDOC

Cabral testified at the House hearing on congressional pork barrels. She swore that DPWH allotted for Duterte’s First District P4.67 billion in 2020, P9.67 billion in 2021 and P10 billion in 2022. Congress increased those to P13.745 billion, P25 billion and P13 billion.

Total: P51.745 billion.

Cabral couldn’t tell what became of the money. Parallel Senate hearings exposed her as DPWH point person for legislators’ insertions in Malacañang’s yearly budgeting. She resigned last week.

Duterte said raking up his P51 billion is “diversionary:”

“Duterte kayo nang Duterte. It was very clear that DPWH officials and resource persons already admitted that they’re giving payola to certain officials of the government. They’re diverting the issue. Instead of going after accountability, some congressmen, like [Manila] Rep. Joel Chua, even brought up the P51-billion budget for Davao City during my father’s presidency.”

The House tri-committee on infrastructure has ended its inquiry.

Still, lawyer-social critic Wilfredo Garrido analyzed the capacity of Davao City’s First District to absorb P51-billion infra-works. He posted on Facebook, “Pulong’s P51-Billion Miracle,” Sept. 13, 2025:

“According to a contractor friend of mine, it is impossible for Pulong Duterte’s 1st District to absorb P51 billion in infrastructure projects in three years. Davao City has only three congressional districts, and all that would have to be lavished upon a third of the city.