MANILA — A war of words erupted in the House of Representatives as Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte fired back at Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, denying allegations of “ghost projects” in his district and turning the spotlight on corruption within Congress itself.
The clash was triggered after Duterte accused Marcos of maneuvering to install Isabela Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III as Speaker to “cover up” questionable flood control projects.
Marcos dismissed the claim and countered that Duterte had been missing from sessions because he was supposedly chasing P51 billion worth of unaccounted infrastructure projects in Davao City.
Duterte bristled at the jab, saying the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region XI had already clarified the P49.8 billion worth of projects in his district.
“If only the gentleman from Ilocos were not blind and deaf to the clamor of our people — a clamor drowned by the influence of money and power — he would know that DPWH Region XI has already clarified the P49.8 billion worth of projects in Davao City,” Duterte retorted.
“All are properly accounted for. I sincerely hope the same transparency can be shown in his district,” he added.
Emphatically, Duterte declared: “Walang ghost projects dito!”
He went further, justifying his absences in Congress by citing disgust over pervasive corruption.
“Not out of neglect, but because the stench of graft and corruption has become unbearable within these very halls. It is an environment that suffocates true public service,” he said.
Escalating the row, Duterte challenged Marcos and even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to undergo a hair follicle drug test and to explain public funds allegedly lost to anomalous infrastructure deals./PN
