Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte, the youngest son of former president Rodrigo Duterte, now finds himself at the center of controversy as accusations emerge of a staggering P51 billion in unprogrammed funds allocated to his district during his father’s term.

The scrutiny comes hot on the heels of the controversial confidential or intel funds allocated to his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, which sparked political turmoil last year. This has further widened the currently visible political rift between the Marcos-Romualdez camp and the Duterte camp.

In a radio interview with DZRH, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, is spearheading an investigation into these allegations surrounding the massive funds assigned to Davao City’s 1st district.

Co expressed a high degree of confidence in the claims, stating, “That is so much, P51 billion… I don’t have the document yet, but I’m having it found. It appears that, about 99 percent, this P51 billion is true.”

He hinted at a pattern of substantial fund releases to the south, particularly in Davao, often referred to as the ‘Holy Land.’

While not elaborating on the tag, he asserted that large allocations often go unquestioned in Congress, with the average ranging from P500 million to P1 billion.

He suggested that amounts exceeding P2 billion become somewhat of a “sacred cow”.

“Sabagay, nung 18th Congress ay naririnig ko na yan, na napakalaking pondo ang na-release sa south, sa Mindanao, especially Davao tawag daw diyan Holy Land. Wala naman makapag question niyan sa Kongreso… ang average P500 million to P1 billion. Pag 2 billion, 3 to 4 billion medyo sacred cow ka niyan,” Co added.

Meanwhile, Rep. Paolo Duterte voiced his concerns on Facebook on January 9, claiming that P2 billion worth of projects for his district were removed by the House leadership, leaving a mere P500 million for the constituents.

“I also would like to inform all Dabawenyos, most especially in my district, that the House leadership has taken out P2 billion from your NEP budget for the district and left only a measly P500 million for Dabawenyos this year,” the young Duterte said.

“To all congressmen ganging up on us, do not give me that kind of BS because I will not starve to death if you take my budget away. Ang kawawa is yung mga Dabawenyos na bumoto kay PBBM,” he added.

Duterte also expressed his dissatisfaction, pointing out that “credible sources” have indicated that even senators were dissuaded from allocating projects to his district.

“Hindi ako luluhod sa inyo para mabigyan ng proyekto lalo na at may 30% pang kinukuha ang isang pekeng panginoon…Again,ang kawawa ay ang mahal kong mga dabawenyo.”