ICI grants executive session for Pasig Rep. Romulo, Bulacan Rep. Domingo

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Wednesday granted an executive session for Pasig City Lone District Representative Roman Romulo and Bulacan First District Representative Danilo “Danny” Romulo for their testimony on anomalous flood control projects.

Romulo’s legal counsel, Atty. Erika Mirgriño, said the lawmaker's testimony would put his life and safety at risk as well as harm his reputation.

“Considering the nature of today’s session and inquiry, the livestream of these proceedings, your honors, could be misused by members of the public to malign the reputation of the good congressman and would create an environment that would not favor an impartial deliberation on the matter at hand,” the lawyer said.

“And to prevent the harm — potential harm — to the reputation and life of the good congressman. Considering that once the session is live streamed, the good congressman would have no control over how the information will then be used by the public,” she added.

Meanwhile, Romulo consented to the distribution of his sworn statements to the public and the media.

Romulo said he voluntarily appeared at the ICI to air his side and clear his name and reputation. He said that the request of an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) to be issued against him was being misused on social media.

DOJ officials previously said that an ILBO directs Immigration employees to inform law enforcement agencies regarding the whereabouts of the individuals named in the order. It does not prevent any individual from leaving the country.

ICI chairperson Justice Andres Reyes Jr. granted his request.

Meanwhile, Romulo previously said he would sue contractors Curlee and Sara Discaya after they linked him to the corruption.

Domingo’s hearing took place after Romulo. He also requested an executive session.

Lawyer Alex Lopez, Domingo's legal counsel, stressed that Bulacan is “at the epicenter” of the flood control controversy. 

At least three of the whistleblowers in the corruption were from the Bulacan First District Engineering Office.

“In this regard, Congressman Domingo has already been maligned, has received significant backlash, despite the fact that there was no credible or any categorical allegation made against him,” he said.

According to Lopez, anything Domingo would say may be used against him.

“Unfortunately, we cannot control how the public could misconstrue or misinterpret any of the information that would be elicited during this hearing. Hence, the good congressman would further be unduly prejudiced,” he said.

He also argued that Domingo’s testimony may cause undue pressure or influence on pending investigations and cases.

Domingo, however, agreed to the distribution of his sworn statements. 

Reyes, similarly, granted the request for an executive session.

In an ambush interview, Domingo denied allegations that he is one of the congressmen receiving kickbacks from flood control projects.

“Hindi po totoo ‘yan at ‘yan po ay pinatunayan ko sa imbestigasyong naganap na ito ay walang katotohanan,” he said.

(That’s not true and I proved it in this investigation that there’s no truth to it.)

Meanwhile, the lawmaker, said the flooding in Bulacan is now being addressed by the national and local government.

“Nananalig po kami na sa patuloy pong mga proyektong ibababa ay matutugunan na rin po ‘yung problema sa baha,” he said.

(We trust that through the continued projects to be implemented, the flooding problem will finally be addressed as well.)

The ICI has granted at least six requests for executive sessions, including Romulo and Domingo, since the guidelines for the livestream of its proceedings were released.

Others granted executive session were: 

• Quezon City District Representative Arjo Atayde
• Caloocan Representative Dean Asistio 
• Quezon Representative Reynante Arrogancia
• Occidental Mindoro Representative Leody “Ode” Tarriela

Under the guidelines, all proceedings and hearings of the ICI will be livestreamed, except when there is a need for executive sessions upon the  request of government agencies, offices, or units; resource persons; and witnesses.

On Tuesday, the ICI held its first live streamed hearings for the testimonies of Fourth District Representative Benjamin “Benjie” Agarao Jr. and Land Bank officials and representatives.—AOL, GMA Integrated News