“Let me be clear—every project allocated to my district has been properly implemented and completed. If Abante wants the figures, I am directing the DPWH District and Regional Offices to release to him the official data and amounts,” Duterte declared.
He pointed out that no one needs to invoke Mayor Baste’s name to get answers.
“Any Dabawenyo can request project data from DPWH. Our projects are transparent and our records are open. Don’t drag my brother into your grandstanding,” he said.
Duterte went further, mocking Abante’s criticisms of flooding in Davao.
“Walang ghost projects dito, walang bumabagsak na flood control projects. Kung may baha man, humuhupa agad. Hindi kagaya ng mga swimming pool sa lugar ninyo,” he fired back.
Turning the tables, Duterte challenged Abante to first explain his own legitimacy as a lawmaker.
“Unahon niya pagpasabot kung giunsa niya pagkalingkod sa Kongreso nga pildi man siya sa eleksyon. Dapat ba tawagon nga Congressman ang usa nga wala gani kadaog sa boto? Kung Pastor siya, Pastor dapat ang tawag sa iya, dili Congressman,” Duterte stressed.
The Davao solon also accused Abante of playing lapdog to the House leaders.
“Kabalo ko nga busog kaayo mo sa Makabayan bloc para sa inyong talent fee as tilap dogs sa inyong amo sa Congress. Siguro mas maayo kung i-account pud ninyo na for transparency’s sake,” Duterte said.
He concluded by saying that while Abante wastes time politicizing, Davao continues to benefit from infrastructure that is visible and verifiable.
“Instead of questioning projects that clearly benefit Dabawenyos, maybe start answering for your own questionable position in Congress,” Duterte said.
Duterte presented a thick book containing the list of DPWH projects in the First Congressional District of Davao City for 2020–2022.
He said his office has been giving copies of the book to anyone who requests one.
Representative Paolo Duterte