Laguna Rep. Ann Matibag challenges Pulong Duterte to prove anomalous projects allegation - GMA Network

Laguna 1st District Representative Ann Matibag dared Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte to show proof of anomalous infrastructure projects in her district.

"If Congressman Duterte has documents or videos showing possible irregularities in projects in my district, he should submit them, together with the specific project details, to the proper authorities. My office will cooperate fully in securing the records and in any lawlful inquiry," she said in a statement on Saturday.

The Laguna lawmaker's response came after Duterte called on her husband, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag, to also investigate the flood control projects outside of Davao City, including her district.

"We welcome Melvin Matibag’s statement on the flood control projects in Davao City’s First District... Pero sana lang kung seryoso tayo sa imbestigasyon, dapat pare-pareho ang standards sa lahat ng lugar... Kaya ang tanong, Congresswoman Matibag, kumusta naman ang mga alegasyon at ebidensya tungkol sa mga proyekto sa inyong distrito? May videos at documents din ba?... Ipasubpoena rin ba ang mga contractor na Discaya sa dalawang project na sila rin ang contractor? kasi may hawak kami na videos sa projects sa distrito ni Ann Matibag at ng mga Discaya. Kung may ghost o substandard projects, imbestigahan lahat—Davao man o saan mang bahagi ng bansa," Duterte said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

(But hopefully if we are serious with the investigation, the same standards should be applied in all areas... So the question is, Congresswoman Matibag, how are the allegations and evidence regarding projects in your district? Are there videos and documents too?... Will the Discayas who are contractors in two projects also be issued subpoenas? Because we have videos of projects in the district of Ann Matibag done by the Discayas. If there are ghost or substandard projects, investigate all — whether that is in Davao or in any other part of the country.)

But the NBI director maintained that the government investigation on alleged anomalous flood control projects does not target personalities.

For her part, Ann said that she and her husband have their own public responsibilities. Thus, her husband has no role in her congressional office, she added.

"My position is simple: apply the same standards everywhere, examine the official records, and follow the evidence. I will neither shield anyone found responsible for wrongdoing no pass judgement without facts and due process," she said.

"The investigation of the Davao projects should proceed on its own evidence. Any questions about projects in San Pedro City, Laguna should likewise be examined on their own facts. One should not be used to obscure the other," she added.

Moreover, Ann said that she won't respond in future exchanges on the matter and "let the records, the evidence, and the proper investigative processes establish the truth."

The NBI director earlier challenged Duterte to file a complaint against his wife if he has evidence of irregular allocations. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/KG, GMA News