House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos on Thursday showed resolve as he faced the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), authorizing the panel to release the video of his testimony and stressing he had nothing to hide, even as he sought an executive session solely to protect the integrity of the investigation — not himself.
On the other hand, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte formally declined the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) request for him to appear in its inquiry on alleged irregularities in flood-control projects in his district, declaring the body “powerless” over members of Congress and accusing it of political harassment.
Responding to Duterte’s statement, ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka said: “As far as the commission is concerned its mandate is very clear under E.O. 94, that is to investigate anomalous government infrastructure projects and all individuals who may be responsible.”
Marcos reiterated that his primary concern was protecting the integrity of the fact-finding process even as he made clear he was opening his testimony to full public scrutiny, subject only to the commission’s judgment on what might compromise its ongoing work.
“I have given the ICI full authority to release if they deem fit to release the video of my testimony, if they believe there’s no information there that might jeopardize their investigation,” Marcos said.
The lawmaker had earlier declared he innocent, dismissing allegations attempting to link him to supposed irregularities in flood-control projects.
His counsel, lawyer Michelle Lazaro, underscored the rationale for the executive session request, spotlighting the need to protect the commission’s investigative efforts.
“There may be critical information that may be elicited from his testimony which may jeopardize or compromise further investigation of this commission,” Lazaro said, explaining that unrestricted public disclosure could alert individuals under monitoring or undermine sensitive evidence-based gathering.
In a letter addressed to ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr., Duterte said the commission — created under Executive Order No. 94 — was part of the Executive branch and therefore cannot summon or compel a sitting member of the House, citing the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers.
“The ICI appears without power or jurisdiction over me,” Duterte stated.
He further accused the ICI of issuing a “vague and ambiguous” invitation lacking 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.
Duterte said the Executive branch already has full access to needed documents and information through agencies like DPWH, DBM, DOJ, DENR, DICT, and DTI, noting that Malacañang “need not look to Congress” for matters involving projects under the Executive’s supervision.
The congressman also emphasized that he was not part of the House Appropriations Committee from 2019 to 2022, the period linked to alleged anomalies, saying he is “incompetent to answer” the commission’s inquiries .
In the second page of his letter, Duterte escalated his criticism, asserting that the ICI should instead investigate President Marcos Jr., his family, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez, citing revelations made by former congressman Elizalde Co implicating them in flood-control and infrastructure projects in Regions I and VIII from 2022 to 2025.
Duterte described these claims as “shocking” and impossible to ignore.
He accused the Marcos administration of using the ICI as a political weapon to divert attention away from its own controversies by targeting him and Vice President Sara Duterte.
“To use me and my sister VP Sara to divert the truth… is highly unacceptable and deplorable,” he wrote.
Duterte concluded by calling the ICI “President Marcos Jr.’s tool for pure political propaganda,” intended to weaken the Duterte family ahead of the 2028 national and local elections.
“It is a continuing political propaganda and harassment against our family,” the congressman said in his signed closing statement .
The ICI has yet to respond to Duterte’s refusal.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Sandro Marcos faces ICI panel under executive session”
