A recent statement from Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte has renewed public attention on past flood control spending, framing the issue as one that should not fade from scrutiny. In his message, the lawmaker questioned why earlier investigations appeared to stall despite initial momentum, urging Filipinos to stay focused on accountability.
Duterte said that only months ago, “the nation was demanding answers,” noting that the ICI probe had been moving and that the Senate Blue Ribbon inquiry was active.
He then described what he sees as a sudden shift in attention, saying the issue seemed to go quiet without clear resolution. He warned that public discussion had been overtaken by other political controversies, which he characterized as a distraction from unresolved concerns.
The congressman asked whether the timing of events pointed to a larger pattern. “Hindi ba obvious ang pattern? This is not coincidence—this is diversion,” he said, stressing that questions about the use of funds from 2023 to 2025 remain relevant. He also raised the broader impact of flood control projects that, according to him, were meant to protect communities but instead became symbols of frustration during disasters.
Duterte underscored the scale of the issue by referencing the country’s rising debt, which he described as “₱17.647 trillion na ang utang ng ating bansa,” and called the situation alarming given ongoing economic pressures. He urged the public to consider whether the flood control concerns were being overshadowed by louder political debates.
The lawmaker appealed for continued vigilance. “The Filipino people deserve more than distractions,” he said, adding that accountability should not disappear simply because the issue becomes inconvenient. Duterte maintained that while discussions may shift, the search for answers must continue so that public funds and national priorities remain transparent.
