There are P4.35 billion worth of questionable flood control projects in Davao City from 2019 to 2022, ACT Teachers Representative and Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio today revealed.
Citing budget documents and data from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Tinio said about 80 contracts along the Davao and Matina rivers exhibited serious red flags.
“Our analysis reveals a pattern of irregularities that demands explanation and accountability. There are indicators that point to ghost projects, double funding, location changes, gross overpricing, and contracts awarded without clear specifications,” the progressive lawmaker stated.
Tinio’s investigation found that of the 121 flood control projects, 79 projects worth P4.07 billion, were congressional insertions not included in the original National Expenditure Program (NEP).
The projects were implemented in the First Legislative District of Davao City, represented by Paolo Duterte.
In a press conference at the House of Representatives, Tinio identified the following red flags:
- Total Overlap: Two contracts worth P135.14 million funded construction on identical river sections, with one 2019 project covering a section of the Davao river, while a 2020 project covered the same section plus additional areas.
- Double Funding: Two contracts worth P115.09 million were awarded to different contractors for the exact same project location, such as the project entitled “Revetment along Davao River at the Davao River Bridge upstream section.”
- Changed Location and Shortchanging: Nine contracts worth P484.04 million were implemented at different locations than specified in the General Appropriations Act (GAA), often with significantly reduced coverage. For example, one GAA item allocated P30 million for 375 meters of revetment, but the actual contract covered only 120 meters—a shortfall of 255 meters while charging P161,250 per meter instead of the budgeted P80,000.
- Awarded Contracts Without Details: A staggering 62 contracts worth P3.44 billion were awarded without proper specifications (such as exact location and length) in official records, making verification and accountability difficult.
- Awarded Contracts Not in GAA: Ten contracts worth P622.57 million were implemented despite having no corresponding line items in the approved national budget.
Rep. Tinio pointed out that along the Davao River alone, 54 out of 68 implemented projects worth P2.65 billion are red-flagged.
At Matina River, 26 out of 28 implemented projects worth P1.70 billion exhibit irregularities.
Among the contractors of the projects were Rely Construction & Supply Inc. (5 contracts, P400.85 million); Legacy Construction Corporation (7 contracts, P350.99 million); and Abu Construction (8 contracts, P321.30 million).
Curlee and Sarah Discaya-owned St. Timothy Construction (P96,498, 186) and Alpha And Omega Construction (90,481,680) were also contractors, along with Alfrego Builders, the firm of Sen. Bong Go’s half-brother Alfedo Go, in joint venture with Rely Construction (P96, 497,408).
Also cited was Genesis88 (P29,400, 000), whose proprietor Glenn Escandor donated to Vice President Sara Duterte’s campaign in 2022.
Tinio said he will file a resolution calling for a congressional investigation as all flood control and other public infrastructure projects in Davao City warrants investigation.
He also called on the Commission on Audit (COA), the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct their own investigations.
“The Filipino people deserve answers about how P4.66 billion in public funds was spent—or misspent,” Tinio said.
Earlier, Reps. Tinio and Duterte verbally tussled over upcoming congressional investigations on the Dolomite beach controversy under the administration of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.
The younger Duterte accused Tinio of focusing only at the Dutertes when there is greater thievery under the current administration of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In his revelations this morning however, Tinio said his calls for investigations is about ensuring that every peso of public funds serves its declared purpose.
“Transparency and accountability must apply equally, whether in Bulacan, Davao, or anywhere else in our country,” Tinio concluded. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
