The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is focused on its mission to get to the bottom of the anomalous flood control projects, according to Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka, who denied claims that one of its core team members plans to resign.
“It is not true that a member of the ICI wants to resign. The ICI is intact and will continue its investigation in accordance with its mandate,” Hosaka told morning television-radio interviews on Tuesday.
Hosaka was directly responding to the statements made by Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice during his privilege speech on Monday. Erice claimed he had spoken with an ICI member, who was allegedly “losing hope” because of their weak authority to pursue a comprehensive probe.
The ICI resumed its ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption involving members of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), government contractors, and several politicians linked to the multibillion-peso alleged ‘ghost’ and substandard flood control projects.
On Tuesday, October 7, former DPWH secretary and incumbent Senator Mark Villar appeared before ICI chairman Andres Reyes, Jr. as well as Commissioners Rogelio Singson and Rossana Fajardo, to answer their questions. Contractors Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah Rowena ‘Sarah’ Discaya also attended the hearing.
Meanwhile, Hosaka said they have yet to meet with former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr., who was recently appointed as special adviser and investigator of the ICI after the departure of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
