Davao Cong. Paolo Duterte Sends Letter To ICI over Flood Control Probe
PAOLO DUTERTE – The Davao Congressman refused to appear before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) claiming it allegedly has no “power nor jurisdiction” over him.
Countless Filipinos were left dismayed by the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption in the Philippines. Last September 21 and November 30, thousands of Filipinos joined the “Trillion Peso March” to protest against corruption.
Amid the flood control mess, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI was created upon the order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. It is a three-member body led by former Justice Andres Reyes Jr.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos stressed that he started the flood control issue and he will bring it into conclusion. Amid the ongoing flood control investigation, the ICI has already invited several government officials into its probe. It has also made endorsements to the Office of the Ombudsman for the filing of charges.
Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is one of those who appeared before the ICI for the flood control probe. According to him, he is willing to help in any way he can to speed up the resolution of the matter. Ilocos Norte Congressman Sandro Marcos also expressed willingness to appear before the independent commission.
The claim of Cong. Sandro Marcos came after Zaldy Co tagged him into the budget insertion mess. The presidential Son stressed that “no one is above the law”, thus, he is willing to appear before the independent commission’s flood control investigation.
Previously, it was also reported that Davao Cong. Paolo Duterte were invited into the ICI flood control probe. However, recently, Davao Cong. Paolo Duterte sent a letter to ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr. informing him that he refuses to attend the flood control investigation.
Based on a post on social media, Davao Cong. Paolo Duterte stressed that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) was created under the Executive Order No. 94 from the Executive branch. According to him, with the commission being created under the executive branch, it cannot compel him to attend the flood control investigation citing the separation of powers.
“The ICI appears without power nor jurisdiction over me,” the Davao Congressman said.
Davao Cong. Paolo Duterte also claimed that the ICI can allegedly get the information it needs from the other agencies of the government like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Based on the post, in the second page of his letter, the Congressman claimed that the commission should investigate Pres. Bongbong Marcos instead.
Former House Budget Appropriations Committee chairman Zaldy Co tagged Pres. Bongbong Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez into the budget insertion mess.