ACT Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio said Vice President Sara Duterte cannot claim she is free from budget insertions, citing reports that she sought ₱1 billion worth of projects from the national government when she was still mayor of Davao City.
Reacting to the so-called “DPWH leaks,” Tinio said these revelations expose long-standing issues in public works allocations during the Duterte administration.
“Sa wakas, may lumabas na ring impormasyon mula sa DPWH tungkol sa mga alokasyon at singit sa budget sa panahon ng Duterte administration,” he said in a statement.
He stressed that the Vice President should be held accountable for projects allegedly inserted during her term as mayor.
“Hindi pwedeng magmalinis si Vice President Sara Duterte dahil meron din siyang maraming singit na proyekto sa DPWH bilang mayor ng Davao na dapat niyang panagutan at dapat ding imbestigahan,” Tinio added.
According to reports, Duterte, while serving as Davao City mayor in 2019, requested 16 road-related projects that were later included as DPWH line items in the proposed 2020 national budget under the administration of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. These projects were eventually funded through the 2020 General Appropriations Act.
The leaked documents also reportedly named Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte and former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque as among those who requested projects.
Tinio further pointed out that DPWH had earlier confirmed that Rep. Duterte’s district received ₱51 billion worth of projects from 2020 to 2022.
“Labas pa ito sa ₱51 billion na napunta kay Pulong na unang kinumpirma ng yumaong [DPWH] Usec. [Catalina] Cabral. Hindi kataka-taka na ang pamilya Duterte at mga opisyal ng Malakanyang tulad ni Roque at maging si (Sen.) Bong Go na kontraktor pa nga ang kumabig nang malaki noong sila ang nasa poder,” he said.
Calling for accountability, Tinio said the investigation should cover the full Duterte presidency.
“Totoong nagsimula ang walang kapantay na pandarambong sa DPWH budget sa panahong ito kaya dapat lang na saklawin ng imbestigaayon ang mga taong 2016 hanggang 2022 at panagutin din ang mga opisyal sa panahong iyon,” he added.