Davao 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte has defended himself against a complaint filed by ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio before the Office of the Ombudsman. The complaint seeks an investigation into alleged irregularities in 121 flood control projects in Davao City, worth a total of P4.4 billion, which were implemented from 2019 to 2022.
Duterte Questions Tinio's Motives
In his statement, Duterte questioned why Tinio has not yet investigated the engineers, contractors, and other politicians involved in the allegedly anomalous projects. He criticized Tinio and reminded him not to forget the true mandate of the ACT Teachers Party-list, which is focused on advancing the quality of education.
"Perhaps this is what happens when a party-list representative forgets his mandate," Duterte said. He emphasized that ACT Teachers should be dedicated to teachers, classrooms, salaries, and the future of Filipino students.
Background of the Complaint
The complaint filed by Tinio alleges irregularities in the implementation of flood control projects in Davao City. The projects, costing billions of pesos, have been under scrutiny for possible anomalies in their execution and fund utilization.
Duterte's defense comes as a response to the allegations, urging a broader investigation that includes all parties involved in the projects. He maintained that the focus should be on those who actually implemented the projects, not just on the lawmakers who approved them.
