Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte defended on Thursday, Dec. 4, his decision not to personally appear before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, insisting he was not evading scrutiny but refusing to participate in a “staged political show.”

“I didn’t back down. I walked away from the show. Those are two different things,” Duterte said in response to criticisms from House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio.

Tinio criticized Duterte for declining to cooperate with the ICI, which is investigating alleged irregularities involving billions of pesos in flood control projects nationwide.

A former Department of Public Works and Highways official reportedly flagged the Davao City first district as among areas that received substantial allocations.

Duterte rejected insinuations of wrongdoing and accused the ICI of operating as a “propaganda factory” for Malacañang.

“If you believe that the ICI is ‘independent,’ then you’re the only ones who can’t see that it’s a propaganda factory of the Palace, created to cover up their blunders and turn their non-allies into punching bags,” the lawmaker said.

The former presidential son maintained that all documents related to projects in his district are available for scrutiny, reiterating that he neither handles public funds nor takes part in DPWH processes.

“As I have repeatedly noted, the records are readily available, and the projects are there ready to be inspected,” Duterte said.

“I was never part of the appropriations committee, nor was I involved in the disbursement of funds, and the implementation of the project. I therefore see no reason for me to appear before the ICI,” he added.

Duterte stated that the DPWH, not lawmakers, manages bidding, awarding, implementation, and inspections of infrastructure projects. He dismissed accusations linking him to supposed anomalies.

“It doesn’t mean that I’m the one who designed, awarded, or implemented all the projects from 2019 to 2022,” he said. “You’re targeting me, are you stupid? I’m not a member of the House Appropriations Committee. I don’t work at the DPWH.”

He added that multiple inspections have been conducted in his district, including those by the Philippine National Police, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and the National Bureau of Investigation, with no findings supporting claims of “double funding,” overpricing, or unfinished projects.

He questioned why Tinio is focused on him and Davao City while staying silent on districts with far larger allocations.

Duterte stated that he consistently sought audits and updates from the DPWH and worked to ensure that delayed projects were completed.

“I will submit all documents, complete, transparent, no beating around the bush in the hearing,” he said, adding that Tinio and his allies should also be open to having their districts investigated.

Duterte assured residents of his district that he did not misuse public funds. “There is no project that I stole from, no money that I pocketed, and no contract that I manipulated. My job is service, not deception.”

He said flood control projects in question complied with all applicable legal and procedural requirements. Duterte added that every peso spent is in accordance with the guidelines laid out by law, all of which are documented.

Duterte reiterated that he welcomes legitimate investigations but will not participate in what he believes is a politically motivated spectacle.

“If others want a publicity stunt, that’s their problem. As for me, I focus on work,” Duterte said. “And in the ICI hearing, the truth will stand, with or without the political noise.”