The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will begin livestreaming its investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects starting next week, chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. announced during a Senate hearing on Wednesday.
“We will now go on to livestream next week once we are able to have the technical capability with us already,” Reyes said during the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights session.
Senator Kiko Pangilinan praised the move, describing it as a step toward greater transparency. “People would like to know the facts of these cases and would like to be updated as to the developments and the progress of the investigation. And a livestreaming of the proceedings will definitely address this concern of the public,” he said.
Reyes acknowledged, however, that the commission faces logistical and manpower hurdles, saying it remains in the early stages of organization. “We are only 39 days old. For the last 21 days, we only had three lawyers. And now we have some volunteers from the other agencies,” he said. Despite the challenges, he assured the public that the commission is determined to “have a full blast investigation of all this fraud.”
Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima welcomed the livestream decision, noting it would allow citizens to witness and scrutinize the proceedings. “Sa pagsasapubliko ng ICI hearings, hindi na lang ICI ang nag-iimbestiga. Kasama na rin ang taumbayan sa susuri at titimbang,” she said, urging the body to expedite the filing of solid cases.
Akbayan Representative Perci Cendaña also lauded the move but called for previous hearings to be made public, saying transparency must be “full, not selective.”
Meanwhile, Makati Business Club Executive Director Rafael Ongpin cautioned that public broadcasts could risk turning the proceedings into “a circus.” He reminded the commission that “the accused are entitled to due process, and we cannot turn this into a public shaming exercise.”
The ICI—composed of Reyes, certified public accountant Rossana Fajardo, former public works secretary Rogelio Singson, and former PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr.—was formed to investigate and recommend charges related to alleged anomalies in flood control projects over the past decade.
