ACT Teachers representative and Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio filed a resolution on Thursday urging the House of Representatives to investigate a P4.4-billion anomalous flood control project portfolio in Davao.
House Resolution 464 seeks an investigation into 80 red-flagged contracts implemented in Davao City’s 1st District since 2019, during the Duterte administration. The resolution cites alleged irregularities such as total overlap, double funding, ghost projects, incomplete delivery, location changes, improper specifications, and contracts without line items in the General Appropriations Act.
The questioned projects span the Davao and Matina Rivers and were awarded from 2019 to 2022.
“Our preliminary analysis reveals the same patterns of corruption in Davao that have been uncovered in Bulacan, Oriental Mindoro, and other parts of the country, congressional insertions, projects without proper specifications, changed locations, and systematic plunder of public funds. So don’t use the flood in Cebu as a reason to cover up the anomaly,” Tinio explained.
According to the resolution, 49 of the 80 red-flagged contracts are congressional insertions. It also highlights one of the top contractors involved: Genesis88 Construction Inc., a firm allegedly owned by Glenn Escandor, who served as Presidential Adviser for Sports under former President Rodrigo Duterte and was a campaign contributor to Vice President Sara Duterte.
Rep. Tinio said the measure also serves as a direct response to Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte’s call to investigate flood control projects in the district.
“When Rep. Paolo Duterte said Davao has nothing to hide, he challenged authorities to inspect the projects. We are taking up that challenge,” Rep. Tinio stated.
“The Filipino demand accountability from everyone involved in this systematic corruption, whether from the previous or current administration,” he added.
Rep. Tinio also cited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent press conference enumerating the administration’s actions on flood control anomalies.
“As President Marcos discusses his administration's selective response to flood control corruption, we must ensure that accountability and transparency are applied to all, regardless of political affiliation, family name, or administration,” Tinio stated.