MALACAÑANG and Vice President Sara Duterte traded sharp statements over flooding and alleged corruption, as Davao City’s flood control projects come under increasing national scrutiny.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government acknowledges flooding as a persistent concern but stressed it is a global issue.
“Hindi po kinakaila na nagbabaha po. Hindi lang naman sa Pilipinas… Japan, Canada… South Korea na kung ngayon ay binabaha,” Castro said.
She maintained that the Marcos administration continues to address flood control concerns and investigate projects.
“Hindi po natin iniiwasan at tinatalikuran ang mga issue patungkol sa flood control projects… nangyayari ang tuloy-tuloy na pag-imbestiga,” she added.
Castro also pointed to Davao City’s recurring flooding, urging local officials to prioritize solutions.
“Mas maganda sana kung natugunan niyo po ang issue ng pagbaha sa Davao City… dahil ang mga kababayan po natin sa Davao City naghihirap po dahil sa recurring issue about flooding,” she said.
She added that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had directed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to help address the issue, including gaps in infrastructure and dredging.
“Inutusan si Secretary Vince Dizon para ayusin ang problema… nakita niya na ang ibang imprastraktura ay putol at sampung taon nang walang dredging,” Castro said.
The Palace’s remarks come as reports highlight Davao City as a key focus of flood control spending and investigations. Lawmakers have urged the Office of the Ombudsman to probe alleged irregularities in billions of pesos worth of flood control projects in the city, including around ₱4.4 billion flagged for possible anomalies.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), for its part, is planning to fund a long-delayed flood control master plan for Davao City as early as 2027, following earlier feasibility studies supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Amid the focus on Davao, Duterte earlier said flood control efforts should not be limited to one area alone, stressing that other regions are also affected by flooding.
In a separate speech, however, the Vice President sharply criticized the Marcos administration and linked flooding issues to alleged corruption.
“Sa bawat paglangoy ninyo sa baha, huwag ninyong kalimutan ang pinagtatakpan ni Marcos na mga politikong kumuha ng pera ng bayan,” Duterte said.
She called on the public to demand accountability and urged continued opposition.
“Tandaan ninyo… ang problema ng ating bayan na ang pangalan ay Bongbong Marcos. Resign!” she said.
Duterte also accused the administration of dishonesty and abuse.
“Sinungaling ka, abusado ka, korap ka!” she added.
Framing the issue as a broader struggle, she said, “Ito ay hindi laban natin, kundi pakikipaglaban natin para sa ating mga anak.”
The exchange comes as flooding remains a recurring problem in several parts of the country, not only in Davao City, with flood control funding, implementation, and alleged irregularities emerging as major political flashpoints between the Marcos and Duterte camps.
Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, the vice president’s sister, earlier challenged claims surrounding flood control projects in the city, calling on critics to present proof of alleged irregularities and defending the implementation of local projects.
He also challenged Ombudsman Crispin Remulla to look at the actual DPWH records before calling the city the “epicenter” of flood control corruption during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
“When I assumed office as Congressman of the 1st District of Davao City in 2019, DPWH 11 furnished me with a copy of its list of completed projects covering 2020 to 2022. I have my copy… And if you’re going to investigate Davao, please don’t look only at the period of my term. I only became congressman of our district in 2019. Long before I became congressman, the Nograleses were the congressmen representing our district,” the lawmaker said.
In a related development, Vice President Duterte renewed her call for President Marcos’ resignation during a rally held after the deferment of her arraignment before a Quezon City Regional Trial Court on the same day.
“Patuloy tayong manawagan ng paglayas ng problema ng ating bayan na ang pangalan ay Bongbong Marcos. Resign! Umalis ka diyan!” Duterte said.
She also linked the administration to economic hardship, saying, “Walang dala si Marcos kundi pahirap sa taumbayan.”
The Vice President used strong language against the President, at one point calling him “sinungaling” and accusing the administration of corruption and abuse of power, while urging supporters to continue their protest movement.
“Ang laban na ito ay laban natin para sa ating mga anak,” she said.
The rally was held hours after the court deferred Duterte’s arraignment on charges of grave threats. Her legal counsel said the defense sought the deferment to allow the court to study a pending motion, which was granted.
Duterte is facing three counts of grave threats stemming from a previous statement involving President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez. She had posted bail following the issuance of an arrest warrant earlier this month. RGL
