A party-list lawmaker is calling for a uniform, evidence-based investigation of flood-control projects across the Philippines, saying scrutiny should be based on government records, physical inspections and supporting documents rather than political affiliations.
Puwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat (PPP) Representative Harold Duterte urged lawmakers and government investigators to apply the same standards to officials and contractors involved in flood-control projects regardless of their district or political affiliation.
Duterte made the call as several government agencies continue examining alleged irregularities in flood-control spending nationwide.
The National Bureau of Investigation has flagged 47 of 100 flood-control projects in Davao City’s first district for alleged red flags. According to records cited by the NBI, the projects represented about P1.9 billion in flood-control works awarded to Genesis88 Construction Inc. The NBI has said its investigation is also covering areas outside Davao, including Bulacan, Mindoro, Pampanga, Olongapo and Cebu.
Duterte said lawmakers whose districts received flood-control projects should be prepared to submit comprehensive records for examination.
Among the documents he identified are project names and locations, implementing agencies, contractors, project costs, completion status and dates, Certificates of Completion and other supporting records.
The documents, he said, should allow investigators to determine whether projects were actually constructed, completed and paid for as reported.
His call comes as multiple government bodies pursue separate investigations into alleged irregularities.
The Commission on Audit has completed 50 fraud audit reports involving flood-control projects and submitted them to the Office of the Ombudsman for preliminary investigation and possible case filing, according to SunStar’s report. The Ombudsman is also validating information from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee while conducting its own inquiries.
The controversy has already resulted in criminal complaints. The Ombudsman previously filed graft and malversation charges against contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya and public works officials over an alleged irregular flood-control project in Calumpit, Bulacan worth about P53 million.
Davao City has become one of the areas receiving particular attention.
In May, House Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio asked the Ombudsman to investigate what he described as irregularities involving 80 of 121 flood-control projects in Davao City’s first district between 2019 and 2022. His complaint cited alleged overlapping contracts, possible double funding, projects implemented in different locations and contracts lacking sufficient details for verification. These are allegations presented by Tinio and remain subject to investigation.
The issue has also drawn calls for lawmakers to produce documents concerning projects associated with their districts. Malacañang previously urged Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte to submit records he said could demonstrate that flood-control projects implemented during his leadership were completed.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways is looking at funding a flood-control master plan for Davao City in 2027. The plan, developed with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, covers flood-control and drainage measures for the Davao, Matina and Talomo river basins.
For Harold Duterte, the continuing controversy should ultimately be settled through documentation and verification.
The PPP representative said investigations should establish what government records show, whether structures physically exist, whether payments correspond to completed work and whether officials or contractors violated the law.
The push for a document-based review comes as investigations continue across several agencies and locations, putting greater attention on how billions of pesos in flood-control funds were planned, awarded, implemented and accounted for.
The outcome of those investigations will depend on the evidence gathered, the findings of government auditors and investigators, and the legal proceedings that may follow where sufficient evidence establishes wrongdoing.
