Davao Cong. Paolo Duterte Reacts To P51-Billion Infra Funds for Davao’s 1st District
PAOLO DUTERTE – The Davao Congressman reacted to the mentioning of the P51-billion infrastructure funds for his district during a House of Representatives flood probe.
The flood control issues in the Philippines left President Bongbong Marcos and countless Filipinos disappointed. Marcos Jr. previously stressed that the country has already spent P545-billion in flood control projects. Amid the issue, there are several discoveries of anomalous flood control projects in the country.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos wanted the creation of an independent commission to investigate the flood control projects and he wants the body to have a “subpoena power”. While the said commission has yet to be formed, the Senate and the House of Representatives have already launched their own probe into the flood control mess in the country now.
During the recent House hearing on the flood control issue in the country now, the name of Davao City 1st District Cong. Paolo Duterte was mentioned when a DPWH official was asked about the infra budget for his district under his father’s term. Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral reaffirmed her previous statement that Duterte was granted a P51-billion infra budget for his district within the last three (3) years of the term of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Recently, the eldest son of former Pres. Duterte reacted to the mention of the infra funds for his district during a House flood probe. Based on a report on GMA News, Davao 1st District Cong. Paolo Duterte claimed that they are allegedly used to divert the issue.
“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,” he said.
Davao City 1st District Cong Paolo Duterte challenged the Filipino people to also investigate other congressmen under the Makabayan bloc. Based on the report, he also gave a special message for the people of Luzon to check on their lawmakers and not to focus solely on Davao.
“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,” the Davao 1st District Representative said.
Davao Cong. Paolo Duterte was in The Hague, Netherlands over a week ago for visits to former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. His father is currently faced with an allegation of crimes against humanity over the drug war of his administration. For the first time, the Duterte family seemingly had a reunion as all four (4) siblings were allowed to visit their father inside the ICC detention facility.
While in The Hague, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte even claimed that the investigation is allegedly “too late” as the flood control corruption existed even before her father’s term.