DAVAO City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte said he is open to any investigation into the city’s flood control projects implemented from 2019 to 2022.
In a social media post on Wednesday, Duterte said a formal inquiry would clarify what he described as inaccurate claims made by ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio.
“We have nothing to hide, nothing to run from, and nothing to fear,” he wrote.
He added that it was better for all issues to be made clear rather than resolved through public accusations, but stressed the need to correct what he called misleading information from Tinio.
Duterte issued the statement after Tinio urged the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to investigate 80 contracts worth ₱4.4 billion in Davao City.
While acknowledging that he has served as congressman since 2019, Duterte pointed out that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was responsible for designing, awarding, and implementing the projects.
He also said the ICI, along with the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation, had already conducted inspections of infrastructure projects in the city.
“Yes, I became a congressman in 2019. But that doesn’t mean I designed, awarded, or implemented all these projects,” Duterte said.
He added that if investigators find cases of double funding, overpricing, or unfinished works, then a probe would be welcome to determine “where the problem really started and who actually benefited.”
Duterte questioned why Davao City was being singled out when other cities had larger allocations for flood control programs.
He also insisted that he had fulfilled his duty to monitor project progress.
“I requested audits. I demanded updates. I coordinated with DPWH to expedite delayed projects. In the hearing, I will submit all the documents I have, complete, transparent, and straightforward,” he said.