House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio responded on Thursday to Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, who challenged him to visit Davao City after he flagged P4.35-billion worth of flood control projects in the Duterte political stronghold.
In a press release on Thursday, Tinio clarified that the data on flood control projects came directly from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) itself. He noted the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) was the one that pointed out the anomalies upon inspection.
“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,” Tinio said.
“We simply analyzed and cross-checked what the government’s own data revealed,” he added.
Tinio said the ICI discovered that a flood control project along the Davao River in Matina Gravahan collapsed just eight months after completion in May 2023.
“According to ICI Special Adviser Rodolfo Azurin Jr., they need to investigate whether substandard materials were used or if the cement mixture was incorrect,” he noted.
Tinio echoed Azurin’s position, saying “we have to review the contract so that we can determine what sanctions we can impose on the contractors, as well as those who supposedly implemented the project.”
According to Tinio, Duterte claimed that the projects were inspected and validated by both the DPWH and the Commission on Audit. A recent inspection by the ICI, however, raised questions over the quality of the construction; thus, recommending a thorough review.
Tinio emphasized that his exposé identified five categories of serious irregularities linked to the projects: 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).
“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,” Tinio declared.
Tinio reiterated that among the contractors repeatedly appearing in flagged projects are firms with known political connections, including ALFREGO BUILDERS—owned by Senator Bong Go’s half-brother Alfredo Go—in joint venture with RELY CONSTRUCTION (P96.5 million), and GENESIS88, whose proprietor Glenn Escandor donated to Vice President Sara Duterte’s 2022 campaign.
“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,” Tinio emphasized.
The lawmaker announced he will file a House resolution next week calling for a congressional investigation and will also formally request the COA, ICI, 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 said.
