Akbayan Partylist Representative Perci Cendaña questioned the supposed “full transparency” of the previous hearings conducted by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in connection with its ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects across the country.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 22, Cendaña welcomed the ICI’s decision to make its proceedings public but raised concerns about earlier hearings that were held behind closed doors.
“FINALLY nakinig ang ICI na dapat napapanood ng publiko ang hearings. Pero paano ‘yung mga naunang hearing? Dapat full transparency hindi pwedeng selective,” said Cendaña.
He further emphasized the need for concrete results from the investigation.
“Dapat klaro din ang kahahantungan: may makulong, maisoli ang mga ninakaw, at maisabatas ang Open Bicam at Open Infra Bill!” he added.
Other lawmakers also expressed similar sentiments. Akbayan Partylist Representative Chel Diokno and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Representative Leila de Lima both urged the ICI to uphold transparency not only in its upcoming hearings but also in previous sessions.
“Alongside the public broadcast of upcoming hearings, the Commission must also disclose previous discussions and decisions to ensure full transparency of the investigation,” said Diokno.
“Sa pagsasapubliko ng ICI hearings, hindi na lang ICI ang nag-iimbestiga. Kasama na rin ang taumbayan sa susuri at titimbang, hindi lang sa kanilang mga iniimbestigahan kundi pati na rin sa kung paano ang takbo ng kanilang imbestigasyon,” de Lima remarked.
Earlier, ICI Chairperson retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr. announced that the Commission would begin livestreaming its hearings next week, signaling a move toward greater public access.
“We don’t have the facility and we don’t have the rules of procedures… In spite of no rules allowing us, we will now go on livestream next week once we will be able to have the technical capability with us already. Again, I repeat we will be doing livestream next week,” Reyes stated.
The ICI was established to probe alleged anomalies, overpricing, and corruption in various government infrastructure projects, including flood control programs that have long been flagged for inefficiency and misuse of public funds.