Paolo Duterte declines ICI invite

DAVAO CITY Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Z. Duterte on Thursday declined the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) request for him to attend its hearing on anomalous flood control projects.

“I am a sitting member of Congress. Considering that ICI is a creation of President Marcos, Jr. per Executive Order. No. 94, the ICI appears without power nor jurisdiction over me,” Mr. Duterte said in a letter sent to reporters.

The lawmaker also accused the investigative body of issuing a “vague and ambiguous” invitation that lacked factual and legal basis.

“Absent any particulars or details of matters in the possession of ICI, it is part of due process, fairness and respect,” he added.

Davao City allegedly has P4.44 billion worth of anomalous flood control projects from 2019 to 2022, prompting an invitation from the ICI.

Mr. Duterte also argued that he was not part of the House Appropriations Committee from 2019 and 2022 and would be “incompetent to answer” questions on anomalous flood control projects.

He also accused the Marcos administration of using the independent body as a “political weapon” to divert attention away from its own controversies by targeting him and his sister Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio.

“To use me and my sister VP Sara to divert the truth is highly unacceptable and deplorable,” he added. “It is a continuing political propaganda and harassment against our family.” — Adrian H. Halili