DAVAO CITY – Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte has called on National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag to provide official paper trails rather than pictures to substantiate accusations that he owns a beach resort at Samal Island in Davao del Norte.
In his statement posted on his official Facebook page on Monday, Oct. 12, Duterte argued that simple photos cannot serve as legal proof of real estate titles, cautioning the NBI chief against issuing public assertions without prior verification.
“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 accept property ownership claims from his own personnel based purely on photos, emphasizing that the bureau must separate substantiated facts from mere conjecture and avoid conducting a “trial by publicity.”
Duterte issued his response after Matibag displayed photos during an Oct. 12 press conference showing real estate supposedly connected to the Duterte family.
The display was part of an NBI probe into potential irregularities within the family’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs).
According to Matibag, investigators are analyzing these properties following claims from ousted police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. regarding alleged cash transfers to the family.
The NBI is determining if those funds were funneled into buying land, resorts, hotels, or other real estate, with plans to turn over its findings to either the Department of Justice or the Office of the Ombudsman.
Duterte countered by challenging the NBI director’s credibility, noting that former President Rodrigo Duterte previously cited corruption concerns regarding Matibag during his term.
In addition, the Davao lawmaker urged Matibag to investigate alleged ghost projects in the district represented by Matibag’s wife, arguing that oversight standards should be enforced without bias.
“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,” Duterte said.
The operators of Casas Con Vistas Resort in Barangay Pangubatan, Samal Island, issued an independent statement dismissing online rumors linking their establishment to Paolo Duterte or any government official.
Resort management clarified that its proprietors are private individuals with zero public office ties and no connection, direct or otherwise, to the congressman or any government official.
Management requested that the public cross-check details with trusted sources before circulating unverified stories, cautioning that legal measures will be taken against anyone knowingly spreading libelous content about the resort or its owners. (By Ivy Tejano)
