Filipinos Call on ICI To Livestream Hearings of Flood Control Issue
ICI – The Independent Commission for Infrastructure said it is still studying the rules for the livestream of the flood control probe.
The supposed multi-billion corruption in the Philippine government through the flood control projects left countless Filipinos dismayed. Thousands of people joined the street protests last September 21 that was called the “Trillion Peso March” to air their grievances against corruption in the country.
In fact, several celebrities in the Philippine showbiz industry joined the said Sunday protest. Malacañang was well-aware about it and Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. even claimed that he might join the protest actions against corruption if he’s not the president.
According to the Palace, the President is not worried over the street protests saying that it was against corruption in the government. Recently, Malacañang said that Marcos Jr.’s only request is to keep the protests lawful.
Amid the flood control issue in the Philippines, Pres. Bongbong Marcos ordered the creation of an independent body that will probe the infrastructure projects of the government. It led to the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or the ICI.
The ICI is armed with broad powers like the power to issue a subpoena and move for the seizure or freezing of the assets involved in anomalies. However, it does not have contempt powers.
The ICI is led by former Supreme Court Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. Its members are Rogelio L. Singson and Rosanna Fajardo. It conducted several closed-door hearings already with regards to the flood control issue.
Amid the closed-door sessions over the supposed multi-billion flood control scam, countless Filipinos wanted the hearings to be livestreamed. The people have monitored the livestreamed hearings of the Senate and the House of Representatives when the two legislative bodies conducted their probe.
Recently, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure responded to the public clamor to livestream the flood control probe. Based on a report on Inquirer, the ICI is studying the rules in livestreaming the flood control investigation.
ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr. claimed that the commission would still have to study on the livestreaming of the sessions as they are taking into consideration the “sensitive information and the constitutional rights of invited resource persons”. Furthermore, they don’t want the inquiries to lead to “trial by publicity”.
“These concerns remain valid, and protecting the integrity of the investigation is still paramount,” the ICI Chairman said.
Based on the report, ICI executive director Brian Hosaka confirmed that the commission is looking into livestreaming the flood control probe the soonest time possible. However, he clarified that it is unlikely to start next week.
Previously, Malacañang spoke on the side of Marcos Jr. with regards to the ongoing flood control probe of the ICI.