ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio has urged the Office of the Ombudsman to swiftly conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged “Davao flood control scandal” following recent heavy flooding that devastated local communities.
In a statement released Sunday, July 26, Tinio asserted that the latest disaster highlights the pressing need to inspect how public funds for flood mitigation projects are being utilized.
”Davao residents were hit again by massive flooding the other day, devastating residents and their property. This catastrophe could have been prevented if billions in public funds were not squandered on ghost and questionable flood control projects,” Tinio said.
”I hope that the Ombudsman can fast track its investigation on this and file appropriated charges against the culprits,” he said.
The lawmaker pointed out that he formally requested the Ombudsman in May to investigate the Davao and Matina River flood control projects after filing House Resolution No. 464, providing supporting documents on alleged irregularities involving ₱4.44 billion worth of projects.
His letter to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla demanded an immediate probe, emphasizing that accountability must rely on project-specific evidence, physical verification, and the actions of both officials and private contractors.
”The anger of the Filipino people against corrupt officials is valid. Almost a year has passed since the flood control corruption investigation began, yet only one high-ranking official has been held accountable,” Tinio said.
”We are submitting our independent findings and asking the Ombudsman to act decisively—because this is not just about paper anomalies, this is about lives put at risk by unfinished and questionable flood control projects,” said the militant solon.
An examination by ACT Teachers of 121 flood control projects along the Davao and Matina Rivers from 2019 to 2022 flagged 80 contracts valued at ₱4.44 billion for potential irregularities. These included overlapping contracts, duplicate funding, project scope reductions despite near-full payments, missing technical specifications, missing appropriations in the General Appropriations Act, and overdue incomplete works.
”These red flags strongly point to possible ghost projects, double payment, illegal expenditures, and systematic shortchanging—enabled by the absence of verifiable specifications. That is why we are urging the Ombudsman to prioritize physical verification along the Davao and Matina rivers and establish clear accountability,” Tinio said.
Tinio noted that 49 of the 80 flagged contracts were congressional insertions concentrated in Davao City’s 1st District, represented by Representative Paolo Duterte.
He urged the Ombudsman to investigate the complete chain of accountability, from budget approvals to payments.
”The Ombudsman must examine the full chain of accountability—from budget itemization and approvals to bidding, implementation, inspection, and payment—because this involves billions in public funds and flood control projects that directly impact public safety,” Tinio said.
He warned that unfinished projects reported as complete expose residents to danger and could constitute criminal negligence if funds were fully released.
”This probe must produce results. The public deserves accountability, and Davao residents deserve flood control that actually protects them—not paper projects and suspicious contracts,” said the ranking House member.
Tinio added that while the documents were submitted to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure in December, no investigation was conducted.