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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider Rep. Paolo Duterte rejects ICI summons

Rep. Paolo Duterte rejects ICI summons

Published Dec 4, 2025 12:23 pm  |  Updated Dec 4, 2025 01:36 pm
DUTERTE
DUTERTE
Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte declined the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s request for him to appear before its inquiry into alleged irregularities in flood control projects in his district.
In a letter addressed to ICI chairperson Andres B. Reyes Jr. on Thursday, Dec. 4, the lawmaker said that the body is “powerless” over members of Congress and accused them of engaging in political harassment.
Duterte argued that the commission—created under Executive Order No. 94—belongs to the Executive branch and therefore has no authority to summon or compel a sitting lawmaker and invoked the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
“The ICI appears without power or jurisdiction over me,” Duterte said in the letter, adding that the panel’s invitation was “vague and ambiguous” and lacked both factual and legal basis.
He added that due process required that “particulars or details” be provided before any appearance could be considered.
Duterte maintained that the Executive branch already has access to all relevant documents through various agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Justice, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the Department of Trade and Industry.
For this reason, Duterte said Malacañang “need not look to Congress” for information related to Executive-supervised projects.
Duterte noted that he did not sit on the House Appropriations Committee between 2019 and 2022—the period under scrutiny—saying he was “incompetent to answer” questions related to the alleged anomalies.
The congressman urged the ICI to investigate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his family, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez instead.
Duterte cited statements from former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizalde Co, who had linked the Marcoses and infrastructure projects in Regions 1 and 8 from 2022 to 2025. He described the revelations as “shocking” and deserving of immediate attention.
He accused the Marcos administration of using the ICI as a political weapon to distract the public from its own controversies by targeting him and Vice President Sara Duterte.
“To use me and my sister, Vice President Sara, to divert the truth… is highly unacceptable and deplorable,” the lawmaker said.
Duterte branded the ICI as “President Marcos's tool for pure political propaganda,” saying the inquiry forms part of “continuing political harassment” aimed at weakening the Duterte family ahead of the 2028 elections.
The ICI has yet to issue a response to Duterte’s refusal to appear.

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Davao City ICI Rep. Paolo Duterte
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