Body seeks immigration lookout order vs. lawmakers, gov’t execs
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) stood firm on its position that hearings would remain behind closed doors to avoid “trial by publicity” and undue political influence.
This as Malacañang backed calls for the fact-finding body to be more transparent in its probe into alleged substandard and even “ghost” flood control projects, but said it will leave it up to the ICI on how to ensure this.
“We’re trying to prevent the commission from being weaponized by any individuals,” ICI executive director Brian Hosaka on Wednesday said.
Hosaka said the commission is wary of unverified statements that may be made by resource persons that could confuse the public.
“We don’t even know if the statements there are true, or were probably said to confuse the commission and even the public. The public might be misled,” he added.
Both the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and the Iglesia Ni Cristo earlier called on the ICI to allow the public to watch hearings of its investigation.
“The President always wants transparency. In every investigation, there must be transparency,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said yesterday.
“As to how the ICI will make public its probe and ensure transparency, that is already up to the ICI. But still, the President is pushing for transparency in every investigation,” she added.
As this developed, Castro said the ICI should take the lead in investigating alleged anomalies in flood control projects and related infrastructure.
Castro said there was no need to abolish the ICI amid the appointment of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as the next Ombudsman.
“The Ombudsman does not focus only on flood control projects. There are many cases that the Ombudsman needs to pay attention to. So, we do not see this as a reason to abolish or end the work of the ICI,” Castro said.
“There really needs to be an independent commission that will focus on collecting and investigating documents so that when these are submitted and recommended for filing, they will just be reviewed.”
“The work and investigation by the Ombudsman and DOJ will be faster if there are already complete documents coming from the ICI,” Castro added.
The ICI on Wednesday released its invitation for Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to testify at its next hearing and shed light on his involvement in the alleged budget insertions linked to the anomalous flood control projects during his tenure as House Speaker.
In a letter dated October 8, ICI Chairman Andres Reyes, Jr. said Romualdez is expected to appear before the Commission and discuss his personal knowledge on the issues at hand next Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
“We respectfully request that you bring with you, upon your appearance before the said Commission, any documents that you deem relevant in support of your said appearance,” Reyes wrote Romualdez.
Similarly, the ICI summoned resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to cooperate with its ongoing investigation on the ghost projects and corruption scandal. His subpoena was coursed through House of Representatives Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.
Romualdez, in a statement released by his office Wednesday, said he is ready to appear before the ICI.
“The Office of Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez confirms receipt today of the invitation from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). Rep. Romualdez welcomes the opportunity to cooperate with the Commission and fully supports its objective of promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance,” the statement read.
“In this regard, Rep. Romualdez is prepared to appear before the Commission.”
The ICI also requested the Department of Justice to issue immigration lookout bulletin orders (ILBO) against personalities implicated in the ongoing investigation into anomalies in flood control projects.
An ILBO instructs immigration officers to closely monitor the travel of subject individuals.
Named in the request were former Senate president Francis Escudero, Romualdez, Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, and former senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay.
Also on the list were Representatives Roman Romulo, James Ang, Juan Carlos Atayde, Nicanor Briones, Marcelino Teodoro, Florida Robes, Eleandro Madrona, Benjamin Agarao, Leody Tarriela, Reynante Arrogancia, Teodorico Haresco Jr., Antonieta Eudela, Dean Asistio, and Marivic Co Pilar, as well as former representatives Marvin Rillo and Florencio Noel.
Also included are Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana, his wife Marilou Laurio-Lipana, Department of Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, and Department of Public Works and Highways District Engineers Loida Magalong, Ramon Devanadera, Johnny Protesta Jr., and Arturo Gonzales Jr., as well as private individuals Carlene Villa and businessman Maynard Ngu.
The ICI said the individuals are “in a relevant position that operates to make (them) an inevitable personality during the fact-finding process.”
“The timely issuance of an ILBO is of utmost necessity to enable the commission to proceed without delay and to hold those liable accountable to the Filipino people.”
Estrada, for his part, dismissed as baseless the ICI’s request for an ILBO against him and other officials allegedly linked to flood control project anomalies.
“If I faced my previous plunder cases and did not run away, why would I run now when there isn’t even a shred of evidence against me,” the senator said, brushing off the allegations against him as “double hearsay.”
