MANILA — Davao City 1st District’s Cong. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte has turned the tables on Manila 6th District’s Cong. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., defending flood-control projects in his district while questioning Abante’s right to sit in the House of Representatives.
The exchange stemmed from Abante’s remarks on Thursday urging acting Davao City’s Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte to address issues involving flood-control projects. Pulong, however, insisted the projects in his district were properly funded and completed.
“All funds allocated to my district were properly implemented and completed,” Duterte said, directing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district and regional offices to release official data on project allocations and costs.
“Wala namang nagbabagsakan na mga flood control projects dito, wala din mga ghost projects dito,” he added, stressing that Davao’s floods subside faster than in other areas.
The congressman also said records of infrastructure projects were transparent and accessible, dismissing attempts to drag his brother, Mayor Baste, into the issue.
“So ayaw n’yo ibutang sa ngalan sa akong igsoon nga mayor ang inyong pagpangutana, kay transparent ang among mga proyekto ug accessible ang records,” Duterte said.
Turning the issue back at Abante, Duterte questioned how the Manila lawmaker retained his seat despite losing in the May 2025 polls.
“Dapat ba tawagon nga ‘congressman’ ang usa ka tawo nga wala gani kadaog sa boto sa iyang distrito? Kung Pastor siya, Pastor dapat ang tawag sa iya, dili congressman,” Duterte said.
“Instead of questioning the development projects that benefit the people of Davao, perhaps you should start answering for your own questionable position in Congress,” he added.
The Commission on Elections en banc recently proclaimed Abante as the duly elected representative of Manila’s 6th District following the disqualification of winning candidate Joey Chua./PN
