House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Representative Leila De Lima has called on the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to make its investigation into alleged irregularities in government infrastructure projects open to the public.
In a statement, De Lima expressed disappointment over the ICI’s continued refusal to allow live coverage or public viewing of its hearings.
“This is not what we expected from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure,” she said. “‘Pag sinabing ‘independent’ commission, hindi ibig sabihin, magsasarili na lang, magso-solo.”
She further questioned whether the ICI’s stance reflects the will of the administration, saying,
“Ito bang pagmamatigas ng ICI, ito rin ba ang gusto ng Pangulo?”
De Lima’s remarks came following online reports of an alleged outburst by Senator Mark Villar, who was reportedly called to appear before the ICI in his capacity as former Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during the Duterte administration.
Las Piñas Representative Mark Anthony Santos, known for his critical stance against the Villar family, echoed De Lima’s call for transparency.
Santos stressed that public hearings would ensure accountability and fairness, particularly since the probe involves billions of pesos in public funds.
“This is why the ICI should consider live streaming its hearings — so that the people themselves can see what’s really happening. Kung may live stream, eh di walang ganyan sana,” Santos said.
He added that Senator Villar should no longer be treated merely as a resource person but as a potential respondent, citing his leadership of the DPWH from 2016 to 2021 and his current role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works.
“Given his previous position and influence over DPWH projects, the ICI should again summon Villar to shed light on the flood control anomalies,” he added.
Santos also revealed that former Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla earlier confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is conducting a separate probe into possible conflict of interest violations involving I&E Construction, a firm allegedly linked to Villar’s cousin and former Las Piñas mayoral candidate Carlo Aguilar.
The company is said to have obtained ₱18.5 billion worth of government contracts, including several major DPWH flood control projects now under investigation by the ICI.
De Lima and Santos both maintained that transparency is crucial to restoring public trust — and that the ICI’s credibility rests on how open and accountable it chooses to be in handling the inquiry.