Malacañang has clarified that it had no prior knowledge of the protest staged by several groups outside the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Friday, October 24, but assured the public that the commission continues to carry out its work.
Earlier that day, a group of protesters attempted to enter the ICI office, demanding an end to what they described as a “cover-up” and calling for a thorough investigation into various unresolved issues.
“Papasukin n’yo kami mga pulis, nandito kami para ipahayag ang aming mga galit!” shouted the protesters.
During a press briefing on the same day, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said she was unaware of the incident.
“Hindi ko po nakita kung ano ‘yong news na ‘yan. Bakit po sila pumunta?” Castro asked.
When told that the protest stemmed from alleged lack of transparency and slow case processing, Castro defended the commission’s efforts, emphasizing that the ICI remains independent and continues to act within its mandate.
“Muli, ang ICI po ay isang independent commission, at kung ano po ang kanilang mga isinasagawa ngayon, at kung ano po ang mga polisiya, ito po ay nasa ICI na po. Siguro po ang nararapat po sa ating mga kababayan, tinutugunan po ng gobyerno ang pag-iimbestiga dito,” she said.
Castro added that recent developments show the ICI is taking action, noting that Secretary Vince Dizon had already filed appropriate cases.
“Tinutugunan din po ng ICI, sa nakikita po natin, na ito’y tinutugunan, marami po kasing mga kaso. Nakapagsampa na po kahapon si Sec. Vince [Dizon] ng karampatang mga kaso, at hindi po dapat siguro mainip ang ating mga kababayan,” she continued.
The PCO official then urged the public to remain patient and to trust the ongoing investigative process.
“Hangga’t nandiyan po at may nagtatrabaho, at ang intensyon naman po ay maganda para po mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot, hayaan na lang po natin na umandar ‘yong sistema at ang procedure. Huwag po tayong masyadong maging negatibo sa ginagawa ng gobyerno sa ngayon,” Castro concluded.