Duterte demands transparency in ghost flood control projects

Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte called on government officials on Wednesday, Sept. 10, to be transparent about alleged ghost flood control projects, warning that taxpayers across the country deserve accountability for every peso spent.

- By IVY TEJANO

“We, Davaoeños, are taxpayers, too. It’s not just Luzon or Metro Manila that pays taxes. Our money is part of the same national budget,” Duterte said. “If there are really ghost projects, let’s show them to the public.”

Duterte said the people of Davao deserve the truth about the so-called flood control projects happening in Luzon and some other parts of the country, as taxpayers. He emphasized that the flood control project’s budget is from people’s money.

“Again, if these are ghost projects, present them openly to the public. That is our money—the people’s money. Don’t twist the story and pin the blame on my family to cover up your wrongdoing,” the lawmaker said in a local dialect.