CITING an urgent need to rebuild public trust in government, Kamanggagawa Partylist Representative Eli San Fernando took significant steps today to promote transparency and accountability across government institutions.
At 9:30 AM, San Fernando visited the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in Taguig City to submit an urgent appeal for the Commission to livestream its hearings to the public. Later, at 11:30 AM, he formally submitted a letter to House Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil authorizing public access to his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN)—a move in line with the Ombudsman’s recent directive lifting restrictions on SALN disclosure.
San Fernando stated that both actions reflect a consistent effort to restore faith in public institutions through openness and integrity.
“At a time when public trust has been severely eroded by massive corruption and government inaction, decisive steps toward transparency are urgently required,” he said. He emphasized that the public is tired of politicians hiding information, engaging in endless investigations, and secretly enriching themselves while in office.
In his letter to the ICI, San Fernando emphasized that livestreaming hearings would be “a tangible expression proving the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability,” especially in investigating alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects. He criticized the ICI’s seemingly secretive approach in probing the anomalous flood control scandal, questioning why the proceedings were being hidden, especially given the large amount of public resources involved.
In his correspondence with the House Secretary General, he added that “openness in the declaration of assets and liabilities strengthens public trust and reinforces the moral foundation of our democratic institutions.” San Fernando urged all public officials to follow suit by authorizing the release of their SALNs and supporting measures that make government processes accessible to the public, stating that transparency must begin with public officials themselves.
Rep. San Fernando is a co-author of House Bill No. 4453, which aims to empower the ICI and ensure its credibility and independence. Kamanggagawa Partylist reaffirmed its commitment to championing governance that uplifts the lives of workers and ordinary Filipinos, anchored on transparency, accountability, and genuine political participation.
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