DPWH “Leaks” Implicate VP Duterte in Billion-Peso “Budget Insertions” – Tinio Demands Accountability.
MANILA – The political shield of “budgetary innocence” claimed by Vice President Sara Duterte is now facing direct fire, as explosive internal documents reportedly from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) tie her directly to a systematic practice of congressional fund insertions she has recently condemned.
House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, brandishing what he calls the “DPWH leaks,” revealed that then-Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte in 2019 requested and secured a staggering P1 billion worth of infrastructure projects from the national coffers, fundamentally contradicting her current posture as a critic of pork-barrel politics.
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“Sa wakas, may lumabas na ring impormasyon mula sa DPWH tungkol sa mga alokasyon at singit sa budget sa panahon ng Duterte administration,” Tinio declared in a blistering statement. “Hindi pwedeng magmalinis si Vice President Sara Duterte dahil meron din siyang maraming singit na proyekto… na dapat niyang panagutan.”
The Davao List: From Mayor’s Request to Line Item
The documents, whose authenticity is now the subject of intense scrutiny, reportedly list 16 specific road projects in Davao City requested by Mayor Duterte. These projects, including concreting and rehabilitation works, were allegedly translated directly into DPWH line items under the proposed 2020 national budget and were ultimately enacted into law via the 2020 General Appropriations Act.
This revelation strikes at the heart of the Vice President’s political narrative. Just weeks ago, she positioned herself as an outsider to the contentious practice of budget insertions, criticizing legislative pork barrel. Tinio’s expose suggests she was not only familiar with the system but a direct beneficiary while serving as local chief executive.
A Family Affair: The “DPWH Leaks” Ripple Out
The alleged cache of documents casts a wide net, implicating a powerful circle from the previous administration. Alongside VP Duterte, the leaks reportedly name:
- Her brother, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, whose district Tinio claims was allocated a colossal P51 billion in projects from 2020 to 2022—a figure he notes was previously confirmed by the late DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral. Sara Duterte says Marcos admin behind assault complaint vs ‘Pulong’
- Former Presidential Spokesperson and now Senate candidate Harry Roque.
- Former Senator Bong Go, whom Tinio described as a “contractor” who “grabbed immensely” during their tenure.
“Hindi kataka-taka na ang pamilya Duterte at mga opisyal ng Malakanyang… ang kumabig nang malaki noong sila ang nasa poder,” Tinio asserted, painting a picture of coordinated access to state funds.
Call for a Wider, Deeper Probe
Tinio is now demanding a sweeping investigation that spans the entire Duterte presidency. He argues that the roots of what he calls “unparalleled plunder” of the DPWH budget are found in the 2016-2022 period.
“Totoong nagsimula ang walang kapantay na pandarambong sa DPWH budget sa panahong ito,” he charged. “Kaya dapat lang na saklawin ng imbestigasyon ang mga taong 2016 hanggang 2022 at panagutin din ang mga opisyal sa panahong iyon.”
The Political Fallout
This development sends seismic waves through the political landscape. It directly challenges the Vice President’s reformist image, potentially creating friction within the Marcos administration where she holds a key post. It also refocuses the ongoing congressional inquiry into budget insertions, pressuring it to examine not just the present but the recent past.
As of press time, the Office of the Vice President has not issued an official response to the specific allegations regarding the 2019 requests. The DPWH has also yet to formally authenticate the leaked documents.
One thing is clear, the battle over the national budget has evolved from a technical debate into a deeply personal and political reckoning, with the past administration’s legacy now squarely in the crosshairs.