ICI needs Marcos son’s OK to release video of hearing

CONFIDENTIAL Ilocos Norte Rep. and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos faces reporters on Dec. 4 after emerging from the closed-door session he requested at the Independent Commission for Infrastructure. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) could not release the video of Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos’ testimony without his express permission, an official of the fact-finding body said on Tuesday.

Marcos appeared before the ICI on Thursday last week with his counsel requesting an executive session and getting approval from the body’s chair, Andres Reyes Jr.

After the closed-door meeting, Marcos told reporters that he had given the commission the full authority to decide whether to release the video of his testimony.

But quoting Reyes, ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka said releasing the video to the public would still require written authorization from Marcos.

“Cong. Sandro Marcos declared under oath that he was not amenable to livestreaming or public broadcasting of his testimony,” he told reporters.

“Thus, until the Commission receives a written authority from Cong. Marcos allowing the release, the commission is constrained from releasing the video recording of his testimony,” he continued.

Marcos faced the ICI following allegations made by resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co that he inserted at least P50 billion worth of public works projects in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 budgets.

The President’s son then dismissed the allegations as “false” and “fantastical.”