Antonio Tinio calls for inquiry into Davao City's P4.35B flood control projects

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio has filed a resolution calling for a congressional inquiry into the P4.35 billion worth of flood control projects in the first district of Davao City from 2019 to 2022.

The flood control projects in the district were allegedly marred by overlapping, double-funding, and lack of details.

"As President [Ferdinand] Marcos [Jr.] discusses his administration's selective response to flood control corruption, we must ensure that accountability and transparency are applied to all—regardless of political affiliation, family name, or administration," Tinio said.

"Our preliminary analysis reveals the same patterns of corruption in Davao that have been uncovered in Bulacan, Oriental Mindoro, and other parts of the country—congressional insertions, projects without proper specifications, changed locations, and systematic plunder of public funds," he added.

In response to Tinio’s allegations, Davao City Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte said the flood control projects in his district have been "implemented, inspected, and validated by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Commission on Audit (COA)."

“The structures exist. They are serving the people. They are not 'ghosts'—unlike the kind of politics some people keep reviving every time they need attention," Duterte said.

Duterte also challenged Tinio to “come to Davao, walk the riverbanks, see the projects, and talk to the people whose homes no longer flood because of those structures.”

Tinio’s resolution alleged that 49 of the 80 questionable contracts were congressional insertions.

"When Representative Paolo Duterte said 'Davao has nothing to hide,' he challenged authorities to inspect the projects. We are taking up that challenge. The Filipino people demand accountability from everyone involved in this systematic corruption, whether from the previous or current administration," Tinio said.

Under Tinio’s resolution, the inquiry sought will be jointly conducted by the House Committees on Public Accounts and Public Works and Highways “to determine the full extent of irregularities, identify all responsible parties, recommend appropriate charges, propose legislative reforms, and ensure recovery of misused funds.”

"Billions of pesos meant to protect communities from flooding have been plundered through ghost projects, overpricing, and kickbacks," Tinio said.

"This is not just about corruption—this is about the lives and livelihoods of Filipinos who continue to suffer from floods because infrastructure funds were stolen," he added.

Tinio said that the first type of red flag that his team saw on the Davao City flood control projects was awarded contracts without details.

“When you look at the GAA (General Appropriations Act or the national budget law), it just states Construction of Davao River Flood Control, Davao City. [So,] it's somewhere along the Davao River, gaano kahaba? Eh, hindi natin alam. Iyon ang problema rito,” Tinio said. –NB, GMA Integrated News