DPWH official confirms P51-B infra budget to Davao; Paolo Duterte says no irregularities

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral on Tuesday confirmed the P51 billion infrastructure projects for the 1st district of Davao City during the last three years of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s term.

At the House committee on public works and highways’ inquiry into alleged anomalous flood control projects, House Infrastructure Committee chairperson and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Terry Ridon cited Cabral’s televised interview in January 2024 where she acknowledged reports that Davao’s 1st district— then represented by former deputy speaker Paolo Duterte— received around P51 billion in funding between 2020 and 2022.

Quoting Cabral’s earlier statement, Ridon said, “Base sa report ng aming Programming Division, we confirm na ‘yun pong mga amounts na nabanggit ninyo noong 2020, 2021, 2022, base po sa National Expenditure Program (NEP) ng DPWH at yun pong General Appropriations Act (GAA) sa distritong ito ay tama po and we confirm those budget.”

(Based on the report of our Programming Division, we confirm that the amounts you mentioned for 2020, 2021, and 2022, as reflected in the DPWH’s National Expenditure Program and the General Appropriations Act for this district, are correct, and we confirm those budgets.)

The lawmaker then pressed Cabral to recall her interview and to reaffirm the figures.

“So naalala niyo na po ba, Sec. Cabral?” the lawmaker asked.?(So do you now remember, Sec. Cabral?)

“I guess I fairly remember, Your Honor. I think there was an interview that time,” Cabral replied.

Ridon countered: “It was an actual quote. Do you remember—yes or no? You remember stating that quote?”

“Yes, your Honor”, Cabral responded.

The P51 billion allocation to a single congressional district remains one of the central issues in the House investigation, amid allegations of overpricing, ghost projects, and undue concentration of public works funding.

Duterte: Don’t divert the issue

Meanwhile, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte criticized the line of questioning, saying the probe was being diverted away from testimonies linking DPWH officials to alleged payoffs.

“Unsa man ning klase nga hearing?Klaro kaayo nga naa nay DPWH officials and resource persons nga nisulti mismo nga naghatag silag payola to certain officials of government, pero unsay nahitabo? Kalit lang gi-divert ang isyu. Instead of pressing them for accountability, naay uban kongresista sama ni Rep. (Joel) Chua nga gihimo pang isyu ang ?51 billion nga budget para sa Davao City during my father’s presidency,” Duterte said.

"What kind of hearing is this? It's very clear that there are DPWH officials and resource persons who have said that they gave payola to certain government officials, but what happened? The issue was suddenly diverted. Instead of pressing them for accountability, some congressmen like Rep. [Joel] Chua made the issue of the ?51 billion budget for Davao City during my father's presidency.)

He challenged critics to also scrutinize other lawmakers and local governments:

“Duterte kayo nang Duterte! I challenge the Filipino people -- do a background check on all Makabayan bloc congressmen. Ug kamo pud mga tiga Luzon, tan-awa inyong mga congressman. Ayaw pirmi tutok sa Davao—nasa inyo mismo ang baha ug basura. (At kayo rin na mga taga-Luzon, tingnan ninyo ang inyong mga congressman. Huwag puro tutok sa Davao—nasa inyo mismo ang baha at basura.)”

(You keep on focusing on the Dutertes! I challenge the Filipino people -- do a background check on all Makabayan bloc congressmen. And you, people of Luzon, look at your congressmen. Don't focus solely on Davao—the floods and garbage are yours.) 

The Davao solon maintained the projects in his district were legitimate and visible to his constituents.

“Kung gusto gyud mo mangita ug ghost projects under that ?51 billion, sige lang, investigate it all. Ipakita ang records, tan-awa ang ground. The truth is there—mga proyekto nga makita, natukod, ug nagamit sa katawhan sa Davao. (If you really want to look for ghost projects under that ?51B, go ahead and investigate. The records and actual projects are there—completed and being used by the people of Davao.),” he said.

(If you really want to look for ghost projects under that ?51 billion, go ahead and investigate it all. Show the records, look at the ground. The truth is there— projects that can be seen, completed, and being used by the people of Davao.)

Duterte urged lawmakers to focus instead on what he called the “real issues” in the flood control controversy, including alleged payoffs admitted by officials, as well as other anomalies in social welfare and health agencies.

“Stop dragging the Dutertes to cover up your mess. Focus on the real issues—flood control anomalies, payola, ug ang mga opisyal nga nisulti mismo nga nanuhol sila. (and the officials who themselves admitted to giving bribes),” Duterte stressed. — RF, GMA Integrated News