HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila M. de Lima called on the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to reconsider its earlier pronouncement not to livestream its proceedings.
“This is very disappointing and frustrating—a body with limited powers to investigate anomalous flood control projects, and which is merely a recommendatory board, is not fully accessible to the public,” De Lima said.
“When everyone is fully engaged on the issue of corruption as revealed by the Congressional hearings, here comes ICI denying what the public wants. Saang banda ang transparency dun?” she added.
According to the Bicolana lawmaker, ICI must open its hearings to the public for full transparency and to restore the trust of the people.
“Paano natin malalaman kung tumutugma ang mga detalyeng nakalap ng mga naunang hearings sa Kongreso sa ICI kung hindi nila isasapubliko ang mga hearings? Paano mapapanatag ang mga Pilipino na walang pinagtatakpan at walang pinoprotektahan ang imbestigasyon nila?” she asked.
“People are watching. Sa mga hearing na ito, hindi lang sa mga akusado nakatutok ang taumbayan, kundi pati na rin sa mga nag-iimbestiga—kung tapat at epektibo ba nilang nagagampanan ang kanilang tungkulin.”
“Ngayong mulat na mulat na ang mga Pilipino sa malawakang sabwatan at korupsyon sa mga flood control at iba pang proyekto ng gobyerno, huwag dapat ipagkait ang pagkakataon na makasabay at makilahok sila sa mga detalye at diskurso,” she added.
De Lima then renewed her call for the swift passage of House Bill No. 4453 which seeks to create the “Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Commission (ICAIC)”, to complement Executive Order No. 94 for a stronger and more independent commission.
Under this bill, the investigative hearings and proceedings of the ICAIC will be made public, with facilities for livestreaming.
Compared to the ICI, which has only subpoena power, the investigative commission under HB 4453 is granted contempt power by law. Its subpoena power is strengthened to reach all branches of government—including the constitutionally created bodies—as well as private companies and individuals.
“The people’s trust in our government is at stake. Mahiya naman tayo sa mga Pilipino. Ninakawan na nga ng trilyong piso, pagkakaitan pa ba sila ng buong katotohanan?” De Lima said.
