The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) signaled Wednesday that it may invite newly designated DBM Officer-in-Charge Secretary Roland Toledo to its hearings as part of its ongoing review of the national budget system.
ICI Chair and former Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr. said Toledo’s participation would assist the commission in closely examining the government’s budgeting process.
Reyes also denied any knowledge of individuals allegedly impersonating ICI representatives to solicit money from lawmakers in exchange for being “cleared” of links to the flood control controversy.
“We don’t know who these people are. But alam mo ang Pilipino, maraming abilidad para mag-extort ng pera. Nothing new in our country,” Reyes said.
When asked if former DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman would also be invited, Reyes replied, “No, we would like to talk to the new one.”
Pangandaman and former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin resigned on Monday following allegations from former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, who claimed President Bongbong Marcos ordered him to insert ₱100 billion into the 2025 national budget.
Co said the directive was allegedly relayed through Pangandaman and former PLLO Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin, the grandnephew of the former executive secretary.