President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wants the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to conduct a transparent investigation into irregularities in flood control projects and other infrastructure initiatives, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
However, Castro clarified that Marcos Jr. cannot dictate how the ICI should carry out its probe.
“Of course ang gusto po ng Pangulo ay maging transparent ang lahat, pero kung paano po ito gagawin– Kung ano po ang gagawin ng ICI dito ay kanila po ang kanilang proseso, so hindi po puwedeng magdikta ang Pangulo kung ano ang gagawin ng ICI, baka sabihin po ay dinidiktahan ng Pangulo ang proseso,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.
“So, hayaan po nating magdesisyon ang ICI kung nadidinig po nila ang clamor ng tao ay maging open ito for public ang hearing nila, sila po ang may karapatang magdesisyon dito,” she added.
Numerous individuals and groups have urged the ICI to make its hearings transparent or livestream them, following the tradition of Senate and House investigations.
After both chambers of Congress halted their inquiries into the flood control projects, the public now pins its hopes on the ICI’s investigation to deliver justice over the estimated trillions of pesos allegedly pocketed by colluding government officials, lawmakers, and contractors. (ZIA LUNA)
