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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos won't meddle in ICI's decision over hearings—Palace

Marcos won't meddle in ICI's decision over hearings—Palace

Published Oct 1, 2025 01:43 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. holds a press conference at the Malacañan Palace on Sept. 15, 2025 to announce the chair of the newly-created Independent Commission for Infrastructure. (Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. holds a press conference at the Malacañan Palace on Sept. 15, 2025 to announce the chair of the newly-created Independent Commission for Infrastructure. (Mark Balmores)
Malacañang said President Marcos respects the decision of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to keep corruption hearings private.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos respects the ICI's decision, adding that he will not interfere with the commission's policies.
"Noon pa po sinabi ng Pangulo na itong ICI ay isang independent commission (The President has said from the very beginning that the ICI is an independent commission)," Castro said when asked what is Marcos' stand on the mounting call for ICI to make their hearings public.
"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 (So whatever policies and procedures they adopt will be respected by the President, and he will not interfere because they are an independent body or commission)," Castro added.
Earlier, ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka said there will be no livestreaming of the investigation conducted by the newly-formed commission, saying "it’s a very dangerous thing if we livestream it,” noting that statements will still have to be verified.
He also pointed out that people might be misled if they open the hearings to the public.
The ICI was created by Marcos to investigate alleged anomalies in public works, particularly ghost or substandard flood control projects worth billions of pesos.

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ICI Independent Commission for Infrastructure President Marcos flood control corruption
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