The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) announced on Monday it will treat the allegations made by former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, against President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. with ‘a grain of salt.’
In a three-part video series aired online from Friday to Sunday, Co claimed that the President gave instructions to insert P100 billion in the 2025 budget and received payoffs amounting to P25 billion. He also alleged that former Speaker Martin Romualdez threatened to kill him if he returned to the country.
The ICI emphasized its commitment to focusing on factual evidence and objective assessments in its ongoing investigation. It reiterated that its recommendation to the Office of the Ombudsman will be based solely on verified information.
On the allegations of Co, ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka said the ICI cannot consider it as evidence, saying it was not verified.
“Under the rules of evidence, if it’s a video, it needs to be untampered. This was shown in tranches. It might be difficult for us to submit it to the court and for them to accept it as evidence. We’re taking it with a grain of salt. Because it’s not verified. We just have to take it at that,” said Hosaka.
“But in the meantime, it would be better if there was such information; if anyone has such information, they can go to the Commission and testify under oath, so that the evidence that the Commission can get is really strong so that it can be given or included in our referrals, and we can submit it to the Office of the Ombudsman,” he added.
Hosaka also confirmed that the summon sent to Co’s residence was not accepted.
“There is a return already, and it was not accepted. The legal team will now look into the possibility of filing any petition before the regional trial court for indirect contempt,” he said.
The ICI also confirmed that former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo has expressed willingness to become a state witness, intending to provide testimony against individuals, including lawmakers, involved in several anomalous flood control projects in the country.
According to Hosaka, Bernardo sent a letter to the commission explaining that the Witness Protection Program (WPP) has confidentiality provisions under Republic Act No. 6981.
Bernardo said this provision prohibits him from providing any information related to his application to the WPP.
Hosaka said this is the reason why Bernardo’s appearance before the ICI was postponed on Monday afternoon.
But he said the former DPWH official submitted his second supplemental affidavit to the commission, which is the same one he read during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing last Friday.
