DAVAO CITY — Davao City First District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte hit back at National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag over the bureau’s disclosure that it had uncovered nearly P1.9 billion worth of flood control projects in his district allegedly cornered by a single individual.

In a statement Monday, Duterte told Matibag to refrain from making premature public pronouncements and instead focus on establishing whether any criminal or administrative irregularities were committed.

“Mr. Matibag, huwag kang Marites,” Duterte said.

Duterte pointed out that the documents concerning the flood control projects—including procurement records, contracts and other project details—are with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“Hindi kailangang magpakitang-gilas sa media na parang may inilalabas na bagong impormasyon gayong ang mga dokumentong kailangan ninyo ay nasa ahensiyang inyong iniimbestigahan,” he said.

The congressman said there would be nothing inherently illegal about having several projects awarded to only a few contractors if the awards were made through proper procedures, the projects were completed properly and no public funds were stolen.

“Kung may irregularidad man sa pag-award sa proyekto, dapat lang imbestigahan. Pero kung dumaan sa tamang proseso, legal ang award, natapos nang maayos ang proyekto, at walang nakurakot na pera ng bayan, di naman siguro illegal kung sa iilang tao lang na-award,” Duterte said.

He challenged the NBI to focus its investigation on possible overpricing, ghost projects, substandard construction, kickbacks and other forms of corruption, rather than simply looking at the number of contractors who received projects.

“Ang tunay na dapat tutukan ng NBI ay hindi kung sino ang paulit-ulit na nananalo sa kontrata, kundi kung may overpricing, ghost projects, substandard construction, kickback, o anumang pagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan,” Duterte said.

He also called on the NBI to present evidence if it has established violations, while cautioning against what he described as “trial by publicity.”

“Kung may ebidensiya kayo ng krimen, ilabas ninyo at panagutin ang dapat managot. Pero kung wala, tigilan ang trial by publicity at ang pagpaparinig na parang may hatol na bago pa matapos ang imbestigasyon,” he said.

Duterte reiterated that the DPWH should be a primary source of information for the investigation, noting that the agency keeps the trail of projects from appropriation, bidding and award to implementation and payment.

“Trabaho ninyo ang mag-imbestiga. Trabaho ninyong maghanap ng ebidensiya. Hindi ninyo trabaho ang mag-Marites,” he said.

He ended his statement with a direct challenge to those behind the flood control investigation: “NAA NA SA IMONG SIMOD ANG FLOOD CONTROL KORUPSYON, DODONG. AYAW NA’G LAYO. ILARA TA TITS.”