Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Tuesday that Davao City was the “epicenter” of flood control funding before the Marcos administration, as his office continues to examine evidence involving infrastructure projects in the city.
During the House budget deliberations Aug. 25, Remulla said investigators were studying evidence related to what he described as a deeply rooted “ecosystem of corruption” in Davao. He said the investigation was focused on the large amount of flood control funding that reportedly entered the area.
Remulla also acknowledged difficulties in gathering evidence as the investigation continues.
His remarks drew a response from Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, who urged the Ombudsman to review Department of Public Works and Highways records before making conclusions about the city.
Duterte said the DPWH Davao regional office had furnished him with a list of completed projects covering 2020 to 2022 when he became congressman in 2019. He said he could provide a copy if the Ombudsman did not have the records.
Duterte also said an investigation into Davao should cover periods before and during his congressional term, noting that he assumed office in 2019 and that the Nograles family previously represented the district.
He called for an investigation without selecting specific years, names, political parties or administrations.
Duterte urged the Ombudsman to release complete records and evidence if Davao City is being identified as the “epicenter” of flood control corruption.
He also questioned the status of the investigation into alleged trillion-peso flood control corruption from 2023 to the present.
