Former president Rodrigo Duterte (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (MANILA BULLETIN)

Two lawmakers in the House of Representatives have questioned the sincerity of Vice President Sara Duterte’s criticism of the Marcos administration’s alleged failure to fund anti-flood projects in Davao City, as they noted that her father had six years to solve the problem.

Zambales 1st district Rep. Jefferson Khonghun and La Union 1st district Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V suggested that Vice President Duterte should first look inward before hurling criticisms against the Marcos administration.

In a statement, Vice President Duterte blasted the government for not funding the flood control program simply because the mayor of the city was a Duterte.

She said the administration of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, had finalized a master plan and a feasibility study for the city’s flood control and drainage.

This study started three months into the elder Duterte’s presidency and was finally published in July of 2023, or during the presidency of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

For Khonghun, the lady Duterte’s remark is even more befuddling given that her brother, Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte, had a P51-billion allocation for infrastructure projects during the last three years of his father’s term in Malacañang.

“Hindi ba ito nagamit sa flood control programs? Saan na nga ba napunta itong P51 billion na ito? Sa laki ng alokasyon na ito, kahit isa hindi nagamit sa flood control?” the lawmaker asked.

(Wasn't it used in flood control programs? Where did this P51 billion go? Of this huge allocation, a single cent was not used for flood control?)

“Former President Duterte also had six years to accomplish this, pero (but) we don’t hear the VP saying anything about her father’s failure,” he added.

Ortega, meanwhile, emphasized that the Dutertes have long led Davao City “for as long as we can remember,” and that the vice president herself was once mayor.

“Given this background, the VP's recent criticisms appear to be not only misplaced but also reflective of a broader inconsistency in her political and administrative career,” said Ortega.

“Critiquing the current administration's efforts in flood management without acknowledging her administration’s shortcomings does not contribute constructively to the ongoing efforts to address these challenges,” he emphasized.

He said this only raises concerns about the timing and focus of her criticism, and said her absence during the onslaught of Typhoon “Carina” and the southwest monsoon (Habagat) “underscores a disconnect that merits scrutiny.”

“I believe it is unfair to President Marcos na nakita naman nating (who we saw was) on top of the situation during the height of Carina,” Ortega said.

According to reports, Duterte departed the country before dawn on July 24 for a vacation in Germany. Around the same time, Metro Manila and nearby areas faced non-stop rains and heavy flooding.

“Hindi ba height ng irresponsibility yun, ikaw ang second-highest official of the land tapos maglalakwatsa ka sa kasagsagan ng ulan at bagyo?” Khonghun stressed.

(Isn't that the height of irresponsibility, you are the second-highest official of the land and then you left in the height of rain and typhoon?)

“Marked safe from Carina kasi nasa (because you’re in) Germany? Sana all talaga,” he underscored.

Ortega, meanwhile, explained that the lady Duterte was not the only one in her family who has a tendency to leave in times of disaster.

During the flooding in Davao City last June, her brother, Mayor Sebastian Duterte, and their father were notably absent from the city. They were instead seen in Tacloban City for supposed political purposes.

“This fact further complicates the VP's position, suggesting a pattern of absence during critical times that necessitated leadership and prompt response,” the congressman noted.