Ombudsman tags Davao City ‘epicenter’ of past flood control

MANILA, Philippines – Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday identified Davao City as the “epicenter” of flood control before the Marcos administration as his office investigates possible corruption in projects funded during the previous administration.

Photo courtesy: Facebook/Boying Remulla

Remulla made the statement during the House Committee on Appropriations’ deliberation on the Office of the Ombudsman’s proposed P7-billion budget for 2027.

Asked by ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio whether the Ombudsman was investigating flood control corruption under the previous administration, Remulla said the probe was ongoing despite difficulties.

“Yes, but it is not really easy,” Remulla responded. “The epicenter of flood control before the Marcos administration is Davao City.”

Remulla said investigators were having difficulty penetrating what he described as an “ecosystem of corruption” in the city, where substantial funds had reportedly gone to flood control projects.

“Davao po 'yung ecosystem na aming tinutukoy kasi doon ho marami pondo na pumasok daw sa flood control,” he said, adding that the agency continued to gather information.

“I will not make that conclusion immediately; we are studying this, because what’s important is we see the evidence on the ground,” Remulla said.

Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte, meanwhile, urged the Ombudsman to examine Department of Public Works and Highways records before making declarations that could affect the city’s reputation.

Duterte said any investigation should cover possible anomalies regardless of the year, personalities, political party or administration involved, rather than rely on what he called a political narrative.

He also cautioned Remulla against making premature statements, saying these could undermine the credibility of the Ombudsman while the investigation is still underway.

After the hearing, Remulla clarified that his statement was based on Davao City’s past flood control allocations, saying, “There’s a big budget in the past in Davao City about flood control.”

The Ombudsman has yet to make a finding of corruption in Davao City’s flood control projects.

— The Summit Express