House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima on Monday called on the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to reconsider its earlier pronouncement not to livestream its proceedings.
“This is very disappointing and frustrating—a body with limited powers to investigate anomalous flood control projects, and which is merely a recommendatory board, is not fully accessible to the public,” De Lima said.
“When everyone is fully engaged on the issue of corruption as revealed by the Congressional hearings, here comes ICI denying what the public wants. Where is transparency there?” she added in a mix of English and Filipino.
According to the Bicolana lawmaker, the commission must open its hearings to the public for full transparency and to restore the trust of the people.
“How do we know if the details gathered by the previous Congressional hearings match the ICI if they don’t make the hearings public? How can the Filipinos be reassured that their investigation is covering up nothing and protecting nothing?” De Lima said.
“People are watching. In these hearings, the public’s focus is not only on the accused, but also on the investigators—whether they are doing their duty honestly and effectively,” she added.
Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno likewise expressed disappointment in the ICI’s decision to close its hearings to the public.
He joined De Lima in voicing support for the urgent passage of House Bill 4453, which seeks to create the “Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Commission (ICAIC),” to complement Executive Order 94 for a stronger and more independent commission.
Under the bill, the investigative hearings and proceedings of the ICAIC will be made public, with facilities for livestreaming.
Compared to the ICI, which has only subpoena power, the investigative commission under HB 4453 is granted contempt power by law. Its subpoena power is strengthened to reach all branches of government—including the constitutionally created bodies—as well as private companies and individuals.
