Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte has challenged National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag to present evidence supporting the claim that he owns a resort in Samal, stressing that a photograph alone does not establish ownership.
“If you claim that I own a resort in Samal, then I suggest you do what an investigator is expected to do—establish the facts and present evidence,” Duterte said.
He questioned whether Matibag would immediately believe an operative who presented a photograph of a house and claimed it belonged to someone else.
“I trust that you understand the difference between a photograph and proof of ownership. After all, that distinction should be elementary for someone in your position,” he added.
Duterte also criticized the NBI chief for allegedly using the investigative agency as a platform for public accusations, saying the public expects its director to distinguish verified facts from speculation.
“The NBI is an investigative institution, not a platform for trial by publicity,” he said.
He further questioned Matibag’s credibility, recalling that former president Rodrigo Duterte had raised concerns about the NBI director over allegations of corruption during his administration.
Duterte also called on Matibag to extend the same scrutiny to reported ghost projects in the congressional district of his wife, Laguna Rep. Ann Matibag.
The remarks come amid the NBI’s ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in Davao flood control projects, including those in Duterte’s congressional district.
The NBI earlier disclosed that it had found identical photographs with different dates in four of the 47 flood control projects in the Davao Region endorsed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for investigation. Investigators said the images appeared to have been slightly altered and reused in documents submitted to collect payments. The four cases are set to be referred to the Office of the Ombudsman for appropriate action.
Duterte has maintained that allegations must be supported by evidence and that accountability should apply regardless of the personalities involved.
“I will not ask the public to take my word over yours. I am simply asking that you produce evidence and allow the facts to speak for themselves,” he said.
“If you have proof, present it. If you do not, the responsible course is to correct the record—not to mistake public office for a license to make accusations,” he added.
