𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗖𝗞-𝗢𝗨𝗧: 𝗗𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗖𝗜, 𝗦𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗜𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟴 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀

Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte has delivered a sharp counterpunch to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), flatly rejecting its invitation and insisting the executive-created body has “no jurisdiction” over a sitting lawmaker. In a letter released to the media, Duterte argued that the commission—established by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—cannot compel members of Congress to appear, citing the constitutional separation of powers.

While saying he welcomes any probe into Davao City’s flood control projects, Duterte maintained that the ICI’s authority ends at the executive branch. Anything beyond that, he said, is an overreach. His refusal prompted immediate scrutiny—not just of his own district’s projects, which have been flagged in multiple reports—but also of his long-running political tensions with the administration.

The Davao lawmaker didn’t stop at a legal argument. He accused the ICI of being weaponized as part of a political campaign to “weaken or destroy” the Duterte family ahead of 2028. He claimed the commission is being used to shield President Marcos, former Speaker Martin Romualdez, and their allies from allegations raised by former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co—who implicated the President himself in corruption. If the ICI were fair, he said, they would investigate the First Family first.

His pushback comes as the ICI ramps up inquiries into alleged double-funding, ghost works, and irregularities in flood control projects nationwide—including billions tied to Davao City during his family’s time in power. Progressive lawmakers say the Duterte district is not exempt from scrutiny, outlining overlaps, missing specifications, and location changes in several projects. Duterte, however, insists critics should “visit Davao” to see that flooding isn’t a problem—evidence, he says, that the projects were legitimate.

Image from Davao City Information Office