ICI won't release previous hearings on flood control probe

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Friday said it would withhold from the public the recordings of its previous hearings on the flood control corruption probe despite its decision to livestream its upcoming proceedings.

"No, we'll not," ICI Chairman Andres Reyes Jr.  said in a press conference.

"Well, we're gathering evidence. We cannot show our evidence. We will be telegraphed by these people if we show them evidence," he added.

On September 28, the ICI announced that hearings would not be livestreamed to avoid "trial by publicity" and any political influence in the investigation of the flood control corruption scandal.

Amid calls for transparency in its investigation, the ICI on Wednesday said it would start to livestream its proceedings on the flood control controversy starting next week.

"We will try our best to be able to full blast investigation of all these fraud. We don't have the facility, we don't have the rules of procedure, but we will already shorten the procedure in spite of no rules allowing us, we will now go on livestream next week once we get to be able to have the technical capability with us already," Reyes earlier said at a Senate hearing.

The ICI opened its investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects last month. 

It has filed its initial referral before the Ombudsman, recommending the possible filing of graft, malversation, and falsification charges against Ako Bicol Representatives Zaldy Co and other Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials over their alleged links on the P289.5-million road dike project along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

It also said earlier that it is targeting to file 15 to 20 cases against several individuals involved in the alleged anomalous flood management projects. — VDV, GMA Integrated News