MANILA — Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. has urged Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte to ask his brother, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, how much funding he received for flood control projects in previous years.

Abante’s remarks followed Mayor Duterte’s dismissal of an upcoming House of Representatives investigation into Davao City’s flood control initiatives, which he reportedly described as a “PR (public relations) stunt.”

“Ang suggestion ko kay Mayor Baste, tanungin niya yung kanyang kapatid na congressman, magkano ba ang pondong nakuha ni Congressman Pulong noong congressman siya, noong panahon ng kanyang father,” Abante said during a press conference on Thursday, August 28.

He continued: “I-reveal niya (Rep. Duterte) kung magkano, kung saan ginamit ang pondong yan. Kung papano ginamit yan. Kung ilang bilyon ang napunta sa flood control project, at kung malaki pa ang baha sa Davao.”

“Kinakailangan tanungin niya yung kanyang kapatid. Kung talagang PR stunt to, patunayan niya,” Abante concluded. He currently chairs the House’s quad-committee on flood control.

In an interview with former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Mayor Duterte echoed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s view that the investigation was merely a publicity move, suggesting that legal action should be taken if the administration is serious.

Rep. Duterte: Flood Control Projects Were Properly Implemented

Rep. Paolo Duterte responded by asserting that all public works projects in his district were properly executed.

“If he really wants to know the exact figures, I am directing DPWH District and Regional Offices to provide him the official data and amounts,” he said. “Besides, do not mind the floods in Davao, I can guarantee everybody that every peso allocated was implemented.”

He also criticized Abante: “Wala naman nagbabagsakan na mga flood control projects dito, wala din mga ghost projects dito. Kung may baha man dito, humuhupa din agad hindi kagaya nga mga swimming pool niyo dyan sa lugar ninyo.”

Flooding in Davao City has repeatedly drawn scrutiny from lawmakers. In August 2024, members of the 19th Congress cited Vice President Sara Duterte’s criticism of the national government’s flood response.

The Department of Public Works and Highways confirmed that ₱51 billion was allocated for infrastructure projects in Davao City between 2020 and 2022. Despite this, persistent flooding continues to raise concerns, even after years of Duterte family leadership in the region.

📷 Rep. Benny Abante FB, Baste Duterte FB