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 โno jurisdictionโ over a sitting lawmaker. In a letter released to the media, Duterte argued that the commissionโestablished by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.โcannot compel members of Congress to appear, citing the constitutional separation of powers.
While saying he welcomes any probe into Davao Cityโs flood control projects, Duterte maintained that the ICIโs authority ends at the executive branch. Anything beyond that, he said, is an overreach. His refusal prompted immediate scrutinyโnot just of his own districtโs projects, which have been flagged in multiple reportsโbut also of his long-running political tensions with the administration.
The Davao lawmaker didnโt stop at a legal argument. He accused the ICI of being weaponized as part of a political campaign to โweaken or destroyโ 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 Coโwho 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 nationwideโincluding billions tied to Davao City during his familyโs 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 โvisit Davaoโ to see that flooding isnโt a problemโevidence, he says, that the projects were legitimate.
Image from Davao City Information Office