"Hindi ako umatras. Umayaw ako sa palabas. Magkaiba ’yun," says Rep. Pulong Duterte

Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte fired back at ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio after the latter criticized his decision to decline an invitation from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to attend hearings on alleged irregularities in flood control projects in his district.

Tinio earlier questioned Duterte’s refusal to appear before the ICI, asking why the lawmaker—who had previously said he welcomed investigations—was suddenly “backing out.”

“Bakit biglang dinaga si Polong? Anyare sa “I welcome the investigation” at “wala tayong tinatago, wala tayong kinakatakutan”? Wala ka lang palang sisiputan," Tinio emphasized.

"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. The ACT Teachers representative emphasized that Duterte was not being “summoned” but merely invited, and that general statements of denial were insufficient.

In a statement, Duterte dismissed Tinio’s remarks and insisted that his decision was not an act of evasion but a refusal to participate in what he described as a “scripted circus.”

Duterte accused the ICI of serving as a “propaganda factory of the Palace,” claiming its proceedings were designed to shield the administration and target political non-allies.

“Kung naniniwala kang “independent” ang ICI, kayo na lang ang hindi nakakakita na propaganda factory ito ng Palasyo—ginawa para pagtakpan ang kapalpakan nila at gawing punching bag ang mga hindi nila kaalyado,” he said.

The Davao lawmaker maintained that he had no involvement in budget allocations or fund disbursement related to the questioned projects.

“My record is open. My conscience is clean. At hindi ako papagamit sa political drama ng kung sinu-sino,” he said.

Duterte also reiterated that all documents related to the projects in his district were accessible should the commission wish to conduct a genuine investigation.

“As I’ve said time and time again, the records are readily available. The ICI can simply obtain them, examine them, and compare them with the projects implemented,” he added.

The exchange escalated further when Duterte unleashed harsher words aimed at Tinio, accusing him of participating in what he called a “propaganda committee.”

“Galit ka dahil di niyo ako napapunta sa trap niyo? Ugok di ako pinanganak kahapon!” he said.

In his letter to ICI Chair Andres Reyes Jr., Duterte argued that the commission, being part of the executive branch, had no authority to summon or require the appearance of a sitting member of Congress.