Following the proliferation online of an art card showing Senator Robinhood Padilla allegedly “summoning” Ilocos Norte Representative and presidential son Sandro Marcos to the Senate for questioning, the senator’s camp clarified that the post is fake news.

“The posts circulating online are not true — they are simply another piece of fake news,” said Atty. Rudolph Philip Jurado, the chief of staff of Senator Padilla, in a Viber message.

Jurado said the committees chaired by Senator Padilla — Public Information and Mass Media, and Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs — are not involved in issues relating to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) or the Blue Ribbon Committee, “as these matters are not within their jurisdiction.”

Padilla is a staunch ally and supporter of the Duterte family, particularly former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte.

“As such, Senator Padilla does not want to preempt any action or decision of the ICI or the Blue Ribbon Committee. The Office also clarifies that it does not have the authority, in aid of legislation, to subpoena or summon any individual regarding issues outside the mandate of Senator Padilla’s committees,” he said.

“We urge the public to verify information through official and credible sources to avoid being misled by fabricated or distorted claims,” he added.

In one of the video clips of resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co, Rep. Marcos was linked to the budget insertion mess for the 2025 National Budget.

The younger Marcos told the ICI in a letter that he will cooperate fully with the investigating body handling anomalous flood control projects.

“I extend my full respect to the work of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure and its efforts to uncover the truth behind the ongoing investigation on flood control projects,” Marcos wrote in his letter addressed to ICI Chairperson Andres Reyes Jr., dated 26 November.