US Embassy exec's visit to ICI just a courtesy call — Palace

Malacañang on Monday said the visit of US Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Kelleher to the office of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure was just a mere courtesy call.

During a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked what is the interest of the US in the investigation of the flood control projects.

''Nagkausap po kami mismo at tinawagan po natin si Atty. (Brian Keith) Hosaka at tinanong po natin kung ano iyong kanilang naging usapan. According to him, nagkaroon lang daw po ng courtesy call at inalam lang po kung ano iyong mandato ng ICI. Just courtesy call,'' Castro responded.

(We've talked and I've called Atty. Hosaka and I asked what they talked about. According to him, a courtesy call took place and Kelleher asked about the ICI mandate. Just courtesy call.)

According to Castro, Kelleher also asked about the body's methodology in the investigation.

Kelleher met with the ICI last week. The US official did not entertain questions from the media during his visit. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News