Davao City First District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte has formally declined an invitation from the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to participate in its investigation into alleged irregularities concerning flood-control projects in his district.
Rejection Based on Constitutional Grounds and Ambiguity
In a strongly-worded statement issued on December 4, 2025, the congressman labeled the ICI's invitation as "vague and ambiguous." He asserted that the commission holds no authority over members of the House of Representatives, invoking the constitutional principle of the separation of powers. Duterte accused the ICI of engaging in what he described as political harassment.
He further clarified his position by stating that he would be unable to provide competent answers to the commission's questions. Duterte pointed out that he was not a member of the House Appropriations Committee from 2019 to 2022, the period under scrutiny for the alleged anomalous projects.
Duterte Points to Executive Branch, Calls for Probe of Marcos
The lawmaker argued that the executive branch, under President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., already has complete access to all necessary documents and information through its various agencies. "Malacañang need not look to Congress for matters involving projects under the Executive’s supervision," Duterte emphasized.
He listed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as agencies that possess the relevant data.
In a striking counter-allegation, Duterte, the eldest son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, insisted that the ICI should instead investigate President Marcos and his family. This call includes probing the President's cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Duterte based this demand on "shocking and impossible to ignore" allegations made by former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co regarding their supposed involvement in questionable flood-control projects.
Accusations of Political Weaponization Ahead of 2028
Duterte framed the ICI's actions as a deliberate political strategy by the Marcos administration. He claimed the commission is being used as a "political weapon" to divert public attention from the administration's own controversies by targeting him and his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte.
"To use me and my sister, VP Sara, to divert the truth… is highly unacceptable and deplorable," he stated. The congressman concluded that the administration is leveraging the ICI as a "tool for pure political propaganda," with the intention of weakening the influence of the Duterte family in the lead-up to the 2028 national and local elections.
