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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'He missed the point': Tinio not done with Paolo Duterte on Davao flood control controversy

'He missed the point': Tinio not done with Paolo Duterte on Davao flood control controversy

Published Nov 6, 2025 05:07 pm

At A Glance

  • ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said on Thursday, Nov. 6 that Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte completely "missed the point" of his exposé on the alleged P4.35 billion worth of questionable flood control projects in the latter's city.
Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte (left), ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio (Facebook)
Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte (left), ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio (Facebook)


ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said on Thursday, Nov. 6 that Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte completely "missed the point" of his exposé on the alleged P4.35 billion worth of questionable flood control projects in the latter's city.
Tinio, in his response to Rep. Duterte's fiery statement Wednesday night wherein he practically dared the militant solon to come to Davao, contended that the data he presented was based on the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) own findings.
"Congressman Duterte seems to have missed the point entirely. The data I presented showing 80 out of 121 contracts worth P4.35 billion with serious red flags came from the DPWH's own records, their website, and official budget documents. We simply analyzed and cross-checked what the government's own data revealed," Tinio said.
On Wednesday, Rep. Duterte said Davao had "nothing to hide" and that there were no "ghost" projects in the city.
"Every single flood-control project along the Davao and Matina Rivers was 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," he said.
He further told Tinio to come to Davao and inspect the alleged questionable projects himself.
"Congressman Duterte invites me to walk the riverbanks and see the projects. But the question is not simply whether structures exist—the question is whether the right structures were built in the right locations, whether they were built to specifications, whether they can withstand flooding, and whether P4.35 billion in public funds was spent properly or pocketed by contractors and corrupt officials," the Makabayan solon said.
Tinio emphasized that his exposé identified five categories of serious irregularities: total overlap (P135.14 million), double funding (P115.09 million), changed location and shortchanging (P484.04 million), contracts without proper specifications (P3.44 billion), and contracts not in the approved budget (P622.57 million).
He said even the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) discovered that a flood control project along the Davao River in Matina Gravahan collapsed just eight months after completion in May 2023. ICI Special Adviser Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said they need to investigate whether substandard materials were used or if the cement mixture was incorrect.
"So Congressman Duterte says these projects were inspected and validated by DPWH and COA, yet an inspection team led by Azurin and ICI advisor Mayor [Banjamin] Magalong found a collapsed project and is now questioning the materials used and calling for contract reviews and sanctions.
"Sino ba ang dapat paniwalaan (Who should be believed)?" Tinio asked.
"These are not baseless accusations or political drama. These are documented irregularities in DPWH's own records involving billions in public funds and contractors with clear political ties to the Duterte family and their allies," he underscored.
The House deputy minority leader announced that he will file a House resolution next week to call for a congressional investigation on the 80 Davao City flood mitigation projects.
He said he will also formally request the ICI, the Commission on Audit (COA), and the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct their own investigations.
"Congressman Duterte says Davao has nothing to hide. Good. Then he should welcome a full, transparent investigation of all flood control and infrastructure projects in his district. The Filipino people deserve answers about how P4.35 billion in public funds was spent—or misspent," Tinio concluded.
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