Palace Speaks on Stance of Marcos Jr. over Livestreaming ICI Hearing on Flood Control Issue
MARCOS JR. – Malacañang said the President will not interfere with the decision of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) over the call to livestream the flood control hearings.
Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, the President ordered the creation of an independent body for infrastructure probe armed with broad powers. Several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the government are accused of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects. The President and countless Filipinos were left disappointed by the flood control mess.
The independent body that Marcos Jr. ordered to be created is a three-member body with former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reys Jr. as its chairman. The two (2) members of the independent commission are former DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson and SGV and Co. Country Managing Partner Rossana A. Fajardo.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong was previously appointed as the special adviser of the ICI but he resigned from the appointment. He is replaced with Rodolfo Azurin Jr., a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). The ICI has called several individuals who are allegedly link to the issue including controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya.
However, unlike the Senate, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure kept its investigation private. Countless Filipinos were hooked by the Senate flood probe which is livestreamed.
Amid the ongoing investigations on the flood control issue in the Philippines, there are calls for the ICI to livestream its hearings. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Malacañang clarified that Marcos Jr. will not meddle with the decision of the independent commission.
“Noon pa po sinabi ng Pangulo na itong ICI ay isang independent commission. So kung ano po ang kanilang magiging polisiya at ang kanilang magiging procedure po doon ay igagalang po ng Pangulo at hindi po manghihimasok ang Pangulo dahil sila po ay independent body or komisyon,” Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro said.
The ICI has started to summon lawmakers, contractors, and other government officials linked to the flood control mess. Amid the investigation, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Senator Ping Lacson confirmed that the Senate will invite Leyte Cong. Martin Romualdez and Zaldy Co into the flood control probe.