ICI: Proceedings to remain private 

Amid increasing calls for transparency through public hearings, Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) executive director Brian Hosaka on Monday said the fact-finding body’s hearings will remain private.

“The policy of the commission on this matter is still the same,” Hosaka said in a message to reporters when asked for an update on the ICI’s decision on whether the proceedings will be opened to the public.

Hosaka previously said that the hearings will not be livestreamed to avoid “trial by publicity” and any political influence.

He said the commission was aware of the requests for live-streaming and that they will discuss the matter to arrive at a compromise. 

Created by an executive order in September, the ICI is currently investigating flood control projects and infrastructure projects in the past decade for anomalies and irregularities in order to identify who should be held accountable for corruption.

This was after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. slammed the shamelessness of corrupt government officials and contractors who stole from public funds meant for flood control projects.

Since then, contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya have appeared before the ICI and supposedly disclosed everything they knew to the commission, according to a report.

Dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara and former assistant engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza have also testified before the ICI.

According to Hosaka, Senator and former DPWH Secretary Mark Villar and the Discaya couple are expected to appear before the ICI tomorrow, October 7.

Earlier, the ICI recommended the possible filing of graft, malversation, and falsification charges against former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and other Department of Public Works and Highways officials before the Ombudsman.

The recommended raps are in connection with their alleged links to the P289.5 million road dike project along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.— JMA, GMA Integrated News