Newly appointed Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) executive director Brian Keith Hosaka on Friday, September 26, ruled out livestream coverage of the commission’s investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects, citing the need for caution and due process.
Hosaka told One News PH that the inquiry is a “process” that cannot be reduced to fragmented revelations. “Investigating means statements will still have to be verified, so it’s a very dangerous thing if we livestream it,” he said on The Big Story. He warned that the public might be misled if testimonies were aired without proper validation.
Unlike the Senate Blue Ribbon committee and House infrastructure committee—which have drawn millions of viewers through televised and online hearings—the ICI is opting for a closed-door approach. Hosaka explained that each testimony must be carefully weighed. “We cannot take the testimony or the statement of any single individual as gospel truth. These things would have to be verified because we’re dealing with an important matter,” he stressed.
His comments came just hours before news broke that ICI special adviser Benjamin Magalong resigned from his post.
Hosaka formally assumed office two days after his appointment under Executive Order 94, which mandates him to oversee ICI’s day-to-day operations. He said his initial priority is to build a full team of accountants, engineers, lawyers, and technical staff to guide the commission. “We have to have a complete staff to help out the commission to be more efficient, to be faster,” he added.
Despite the probe’s complexity, Hosaka said the commission is “fast-tracking” its work in response to public demand. “We want this done because we hear the clamor. We hear the voice of the Filipinos. We’re not blind; we’re not deaf,” he said, noting that the ICI is hopeful to recommend charges before the year ends, though the process may take up to two years.
