Paolo Duterte got ₱51B infra funds during father’s term – DPWH

Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Polong” Duterte’s district received ₱51 billion worth of flood control and infrastructure projects during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s last three years in Malacañang from 2020 to 2022, a senior Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official confirmed.

Lawmakers brought up a 2024 article quoting DPWH Undersecretary for Planning Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral and asked if she indeed confirmed the infrastructure budget for Rep. Paulo Duterte’s district.

Manila Representative Joel Chua pressed Cabral to state on record whether she had acknowledged the allocation for Duterte’s district.

Cabral initially hesitated, saying she needed to verify the data with her office before making a categorical confirmation.

After further questioning by Bicol Representative Terry Ridon, Cabral eventually replied, “Yes, Your Honor,” confirming the ₱51-billion allocation based on the National Expenditure Program and the General Appropriations Act of Duterte’s district.

Budget records show that allocations for Duterte’s district ballooned far beyond initial proposals.

In 2020, the administration proposed ₱4.6 billion for flood control, but the final budget reached ₱13.7 billion.

In 2021, a proposed ₱9.67 billion swelled to ₱25 billion under the enacted General Appropriations Act.

In 2022, another ₱13 billion was allocated.

Duterte defended the projects, insisting that all funds were properly used.

“Let me say this straight, Davao has nothing to hide. If you want to see the ghost projects under that ₱51 billion, just go ahead and investigate it. Show them all the records, there on the ground. The truth is there, the projects that have been implemented,” he said.

The confirmation came as both chambers of Congress investigate ghost projects and alleged kickbacks involving lawmakers and contractors.

The Senate inquiry earlier heard testimonies from contractors Sarah and Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya, who linked top House officials including Speaker Martin Romualdez and former appropriations chair Zaldy Co to infrastructure kickbacks.

Duterte, meanwhile, denied ever meddling in House budget hearings, contrasting himself with current leaders.

“Never ako nakialam sa mga budget hearing sa Kamara. Kahit tanungin ‘nyo pa ‘yong mga nagdaang Speaker. May delicadeza ako. Hindi kagaya ngayon na mismo magkakamag-anak ang naglalaro sa budget,” Duterte said.

House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin of Iloilo then asked whether such massive funds should have been diverted to pandemic response.

“In your personal view, if you were the decision maker, do you think this is better spent in the pandemic…instead of spending in flood control?” Garin asked.

“You asked for my personal opinion, and I would say yes,” Cabral answered.