Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla highlighted Davao City as a key focus of ongoing anti-corruption inquiries, calling it the “epicenter of flood control” prior to the current administration.
Addressing the House Committee on Appropriations during deliberations on his agency’s proposed 2027 budget, Remulla responded to queries from ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio regarding historical irregularities in infrastructure spending.
Tinio noted that controversy surrounding flood mitigation efforts predated the Marcos presidency, pointing to insertions and non-existent “ghost” projects reported as far back as 2018 under former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Confirming active investigations into past flood control funding, Remulla described the challenges of unraveling complex graft networks in the southern hub.
“Opo. Hindi lang ho madali talaga. Sapagkat, sabihin natin, ang epicenter po ng flood control bago ho dumating ang Marcos administration ay Davao City,” Remulla said.
“Ang ecosystem of corruption po, mabigat. Mahirap pong pasukin, mahirap pong kumuha ng impormasyon, marami hong taong hindi nagsasalita. Pero hindi ho kami tumitigil,” he added.
Remulla explained that investigative teams are examining significant fund allocations directed to Davao City during the Duterte administration to map out operational patterns, alongside monitoring other provinces.
When Tinio sought clarification on whether the label implied an epicenter of corruption itself, Remulla quickly clarified his phrasing:
“[Epicenter of] flood control po,” the Ombudsman stated.
“I will not draw that conclusion [epicenter of corruption] immediately. Ito po ay pinag-aaralan namin, kasi ang mahalaga po, makita namin ang ebidensiya sa ground, your honor,” he added, emphasizing that the probe remains active and incomplete.
Pressed further during a post-hearing interview about whether the term hinted at localized graft, Remulla maintained a cautious stance.
“We will check out, the flood control,” he remarked.