Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Executive Director Brian Hosaka announced that hearings on the controversial flood control projects will remain closed to the public.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, October 8, Hosaka reiterated that the Commission aims to prevent its proceedings from being used for personal or political interests.
“We’re trying to prevent the Commission from being weaponized by any individuals. We don’t even know if their statements are true, or probably said to confuse the Commission and even the public. So we have to be careful with that,” Hosaka explained.
He added that the Commission cannot automatically accept all testimonies as factual, stressing the importance of caution in verifying information from witnesses and involved parties.
“Kailangan mag-ingat kami. Dahil hindi naman lahat ng sasabihin diyan ay tatanggapin natin na katotohanan. Kung ‘yan ay delikado, kasi mami-mislead ang publiko. Matatanggap agad nila na ang sinabi ng tao na ‘to na hindi naman tayo sigurado sa kanilang karakter, sa kanilang background, kung talaga sila’y nagsasabi ng totoo,” Hosaka said.
He further warned that false or misleading statements could derail both the investigation and public perception.
“Baka nga naliligaw lang nila ang imbestigasyon ng ICI at the same time, baka maligaw din ang publiko,” he added.
Several groups and personalities have recently called on the ICI to make its flood control project hearings public, arguing that transparency is necessary for accountability.
Among them is Senator Kiko Pangilinan, who, in a social media post on Wednesday, urged the Commission not to “test the people’s patience” by keeping the hearings private.
“Please do not test the people’s patience with this misplaced refusal to open your proceedings to public scrutiny,” Pangilinan said.
He also warned that the ICI risks underestimating the growing frustration of the public.
“You underestimate the brewing anger of the public by ignoring or disregarding this basic constitutional right to information of the people on matters of public concern,” he added.