ICI livestream still depends on ‘willing’ resource persons
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is ready to livestream its hearings on alleged corruption in government flood control projects and is only waiting for a resource person who is willing to make their testimony public, ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka said on Friday.
“We want to be as transparent as possible so that the public can see what our resource persons are saying and so that the public can also be informed,” Hosaka said in an ambush interview.
“We’re just waiting for a resource person who would agree to have their testimony made public through our livestreaming system,” he added.
The commission earlier named presidential son and Ilocos Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos III as a future resource person whose appearance is likely to be livestreamed.
There has been huge public clamor for the ICI to livestream its hearings, similar to what the Senate blue ribbon committee has done with its flood control probe, but the commission said it wanted to avoid trial by publicity.
However, it reconsidered this policy in October following public pressure, but released the guidelines only on Nov. 21.
Media access
Hosaka said the commission had already finished setting up its livestreaming system. The hearings—should they be livestreamed—will be available on YouTube with access given to media outlets for airing.
“We’ve done our testing already, and it’s working,” he said.
The ICI guidelines state that all hearings will be live, except when there is a need for an executive session.
The commission earlier said it will grant a resource person’s request for a closed-door hearing if the information to be divulged must be kept confidential in the interest of national defense or security, and if such disclosure will put the life and safety of an individual in danger, among others.
Meanwhile, all of the six ICI hearings this week were held behind closed doors.
Those who served as resource persons were Quezon City Representatives Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde, Patrick Michael Vargas, and Maria Victoria Co-Pilar; Occidental Mindoro Rep. Leody Tarriela; Caloocan City Rep. Dean Asistio; and Quezon Rep. Reynante Arrogancia.
Contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya recently tagged these lawmakers for allegedly receiving kickbacks from his firm for flood control projects.
All of them have denied the allegations.
Marcos appearance
When asked if Marcos will appear before the ICI next week, Hosaka replied, “I cannot mention when.”
“But definitely we will announce if and when Congressman Sandro Marcos will be coming over,” he added.
Earlier this week, Marcos wrote to ICI Chair Andres Reyes Jr. that he was “ready to cooperate, answer questions, and provide any clarification needed to move this investigation forward.”
Marcos sent the letter after resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co alleged that the lawmaker inserted at least P50 billion worth of public works projects in the 2023, 2024 and 2025 national budgets.
Shortly after the letter was made public on Thursday, Hosaka said the commission will set a hearing with Marcos and that this will likely be livestreamed.
