Davao City 2nd District Representative Omar Duterte has denied allegations linking his family to so-called "ghost projects" in the city, following reports that Davao received ₱51 billion in infrastructure funding during the last three years of the Duterte administration.

During a House hearing on September 9 regarding questionable flood control projects, a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official confirmed the release of the multi-billion-peso budget for Davao City’s 1st District.

Rep. Duterte, however, insisted that the funds were used properly and that all projects can be accounted for.

“Wala naman kami ghost project. Hindi sikat ang multo sa amin. Wala kami. Walang ghost project sa amin," he said.

The young Duterte stressed that every peso was accounted for and used for visible developments in Davao.

He described attempts to connect the family to issues like flood control anomalies or the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts as “absurd.”

Duterte further stressed that the Duterte family has long been the subject of political attacks.

“Well, it's not something new naman. Since nung time ni Madam President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, nung time ni Speaker [Prospero] Nograles, hinahabol naman talagang family namin. Parati na lang ina-throw ng accusation. Nung time na noon, then Mayor President Rodrigo Duterte. Si Mayor Digong parati naging target noon. Then, sa later years ng Aquino administration, of course, dahil malakas na candidate yung lolo ko, sila rin nag-start,” he emphasized.

He claimed that critics of the family continue to use alleged anomalies to discredit them.

“So itong admin ni BBM [President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.], 'di naman siya ganyan kabago. Parati talaga sila may masabi sa amin o i-link sa amin kung ano man mga misgivings nila o mga pagkukulang nila sa tao. Gusto talaga nila i-link sa amin,” Rep. Duterte said.

“Ang totoo lang yan, wala kami ikakahiya talaga. Sa mga statement ni Papa, ni Congressman Pulong, you can check. You can go to the city, go to the first district pa man. You can see na lahat ng projects," he added.

The young Duterte cited the Build, Build, Build program under former President Rodrigo Duterte as proof of their legacy in public service.

"Since noong time ni PRD, build, build, build talaga. So marami talagang legacy projects. Maraming bridges. Ang interconnectivity ng buong Pilipinas naging stronger or at least strongest noong time ni Lolo," he stated.

“Speaking about legacy projects, wala akong masabi sa ngayon na administration,” write an English news article," the congressman said.

He further reminded Filipinos that elected officials are accountable to the people:

“Kayo ang boss namin. If you think that there's something wrong, if you think that this cannot go any further, fight for your right. Fight for the power that you lend to us. Kung kailangan babawiin, bawain.”

Visit in Netherlands

The congressman, accompanied by his mother, Isabel Duterte, and Davao City Vice Mayor Ruy Elias Lopez (popularly known as Vice Mayor Rigu), is currently in The Hague. He expressed pride in seeing local landmarks named after his grandfather, the former President who is currently under the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“May certain pride ako talagang ma-feel kasi yung lapit talaga na. Well known na talaga ito. Kahit actually mga locals na Filipino makausap namin, parati na sinasabi you should go to Duterte Street, you should go to Duterte Park. Them saying that di pa nila kami kilala," he said.

On Rodrigo Duterte's condition

Duterte also addressed the ongoing legal proceedings involving former President Rodrigo Duterte, expressing concern over his grandfather’s health.

“He's really fit naman, he's okay. 'Yun lang, being 80 years old, 'di naman siya ganyang malusog talaga. He's in a very fragile state," he said.

His remarks came after the former president’s legal counsel, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman stated that Duterte is “no longer fit to stand trial,” as he can no longer remember places, events, and even members of his own family and defense team.

During his stay in the Netherlands, Rep. Duterte highlighted the efficiency of public transport and said he hoped similar systems could be developed in Davao.

“The public transport system nila dito, sobrang organized, sobrang well on time naman rin. Sa amin, we're trying to do that naman in Davao, the whole of Davao,” he explained.

The lawmaker cited the ongoing efforts by Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte to modernize transport in the city.

Commenting on the planned mass actions on September 13 and September 21, reportedly set to take place at the EDSA Shrine, the congressman emphasized the people’s right to peaceful assembly.

"All I can say is all of you have the right to protest, all of you have the right to fight for what you believe in," the young Duterte said.