Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte accused International Criminal Court prosecutors of incompetence and using recycled and distorted materials in their investigation of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a statement on Thursday, Feb. 26, Rep. Duterte claimed that the evidence presented by the ICC consisted of old testimonies, misinterpreted narratives, and edited video materials used to support a predetermined case.

Rep. Duterte said he was uncertain if ICC prosecutors were "simply incompetent" or were deliberately ignoring facts due to alleged influence from unnamed local supporters in the Philippines.

The lawmaker referred to a closed-circuit television video used during the confirmation of charges hearing, saying the video had already been publicly debunked by its owner.

"It was taken out of context, distorted, and reinterpreted so that they could present something—anything—to the ICC," Rep. Duterte said. "When the truth came out? Silence. No apology. No accountability."

He questioned if the ICC's actions constituted justice or "trial by imagination," arguing that justice should be based on verifiable facts, forensic evidence, and proper documentation rather than rumors or edited materials.

Duterte called for transparency over a report alleging that $2 million have been distributed for ICC-related expenses and challenged those making the claim to open records if this claim is false.

He also hit the appearance of individuals with political agendas, linking the allegations to long-standing claims involving cash-filled suitcases, unverified accusations, and narratives repeatedly used for political attacks.

Duterte urged the ICC to strengthen the credibility of its evidence if it intends to pursue the case and questioned if the investigation was genuinely about justice or political demolition.