Palace: Duterte should show up at ICI if ‘there’s nothing to hide’

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Friday criticized Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte’s decision not to show up before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), saying he should not “hide” if he has nothing to conceal.

The remarks came after Duterte declined the ICI’s invitation, believing the super body has no jurisdiction over him.

READ: Paolo Duterte won’t appear before ICI: No jurisdiction over me

“We have a saying: Buntot niya, hila niya. It means, you are responsible for the consequences of your own acts. Many legislators have respected the summons of the ICI, provided their responses, their knowledge,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said at a briefing.

She added, “And if there’s nothing to hide, there’s no need to hide.”

In a letter dated December 3, the lawker said he is not subject to ICI’s power, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. established.

“I welcome the investigation on the flood control projects of Davao City’s 1st District.  However, I regret that I cannot accept your ‘Invitation to Appear’, for the following reasons: first, I am a sitting member of Congress. Considering that ICI is a creation of President Marcos […], the ICI appears without power or jurisdiction over me,” the letter read.

“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 said.

Duterte also accused ICI of being Marcos’ tool to malign the Dutertes — him and his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, and their father former President Rodrigo Duterte. /mr