Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte withdrew his earlier openness to attend the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) hearing, asserting that the executive-created body has no authority over a sitting lawmaker.
In a letter submitted on December 3, Duterte said, “The constitutional separation of powers bars ICI, which is part of the executive branch, from including me in your executive mandate. Your power is purely limited to the executive branch.”
He also argued the ICI’s summons lacked basis, calling the invitation “vague and ambiguous, absent any particulars or details of matters in the possession of ICI.”
Duterte’s refusal underscores the limits of the ICI’s mandate, which allows the issuance of subpoenas but does not grant contempt powers against those who decline to appear.
The lawmaker further claimed the commission was being used as a “propaganda tool” of President Bongbong Marcos against the Duterte family, saying it was created “to save himself, his family, ex-Speaker (Martin) Romualdez and ilks.”
The flood control controversy has escalated after former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co linked both Marcos and Romualdez to the alleged irregularities.
ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka defended the commission’s authority, saying its mandate under Executive Order 94 remains “very clear,” and emphasized that the body would continue its work “until its creation is declared by a competent court or authority to be legally infirm.”