Manila, Philippines – As the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) continues its investigation on anomalous flood control projects in the country, among the resource persons invited this week is Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.
This is in relation to ACT Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio’s allegations of over P4 billion anomalous projects in Davao from 2019-200.
Duterte have repeatedly denied the allegations, firmly maintaing his ground that Davao City has nothing to hide.
In an official statement on Thursday, however, Duterte confirmed that he declined ICI’s invitation for his presence in a hearing.
In a letter, Duterte emphasized that ICI is part of the executive brach, and has no jurisdiction or power over him as he is a member of the Congress.
Duterte also noted that he was not a member of the House Committee on Appropriations from 2019-2022 and that he is not competent to answer ICI’s queries over the matter.
He further added that there is no factual or legal basis on ICI’s invitation, and that it is vague and ambiguous.
In the same letter, Duterte argued that ICI should investigate instead allegations of former lawmaker Zaldy Co against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his family, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
He said that he believes that Marcos formed ICI to hide their own irrgularities and that it is just a political propaganda against their family.
“I view ICI as President Marcos Jr.’s tool for pure political propaganda to weaken, or worse destroy the name of VP Sara, FPRRD, and our Duterte family’s good name.
It is a continuing political propaganda and harassment against our family with a view to the 2028 Presidential, national and local elections,” Duterte said.
Meanwhile, following Duterte’s decline, Tinio immediately criticized his fellow lawmaker over the move.
Tinio pointed out how Cong. Pulong seemingly ratted out of the investigation, despite previous statements of being ready to face ICI.
A day before Duterte declined the invitation, he have expressed readiness to welcome ICI’s investigation as he has nothing to hide and nothing to run for.
“Malakas ang loob niyang pumustura na walang anomalya sa kanyang distrito pero ngayong inanyayahan siya sa aktwal na imbestigasyon, nagtatago siya sa wala sa lugar na pribilehiyo bilang kongresista. He was not “summoned,” Tinio stated.
Tinio said that general denial is not enough and even dared Duterte to face and answer the investigation over the use of funds in his district.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News