Politics · Philippines Bureau
NBI chief questions Duterte's response to flood project probe
National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag expressed confusion over Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte's reaction to an agency inquiry into questionable flood control contracts in the lawmaker's district, noting that contractors—not politicians—are the focus of the investigation.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag has questioned why Davao City Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte has responded publicly to the agency's investigation into anomalous flood control projects in his congressional district.
Matibag stated that the NBI's probe centers on contractors involved in the projects rather than on Duterte or other elected officials. The NBI director expressed puzzlement at the congressman's defensive posture, suggesting it was unnecessary given that the investigation's subject matter did not directly implicate him.
The NBI has been examining flood control initiatives in Duterte's district as part of a broader review of infrastructure spending. Officials have indicated that contractors and project implementation are the primary areas under scrutiny.
Duterte, a prominent member of Congress and son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has not detailed his specific concerns about the NBI's investigation. The matter comes amid heightened scrutiny of government spending on public works projects across the country.