The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has urged the Senate to continue its investigation into alleged anomalies in thousands of flood control projects and called on the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to make its hearings public to ensure transparency and accountability.

INC Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo made the appeal in a statement aired on Net25’s Sa Ganang Mamamayan on October 7, saying the religious organization is “peacefully observing” ongoing developments and praying that peace and justice prevail in the country.

“Ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay payapang nagmamasid sa kasalukuyang nagaganap sa Pilipinas kalakip ang pananalangin sa Diyos na sana ang makapamayani sa ating bansa ay ang kapayapaan at katarungan (The Iglesia ni Cristo is peacefully observing the current events in the Philippines, accompanied by prayers to God that peace and justice may prevail in our country),” Manalo said.

INC emphasized that those responsible for the theft of hundreds of billions of pesos from the public treasury—especially during times of hardship—must be held accountable to ensure justice and prevent others from doing the same.

“Tulad ng maraming Pilipino, naghihintay din kami hindi lamang sa magiging resulta nito na dapat ay totohanan at mapagtitiwalaan kundi kung paano ito maisasagawa ng walang pag-aalinlangan (Like many Filipinos, we too are waiting not only for the outcome—which must be genuine and trustworthy—but also for how it will be carried out without any doubt or hesitation),” Manalo said.

“Subalit, hindi ito magagawa kung ititigil na ang imbestigasyon ng Senado (However, this cannot be achieved if the Senate investigation is stopped, as we have been hearing for unclear reasons),” he added.

Manalo also stressed that the investigation by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) into the corruption scandal will not be credible if it is conducted in secret, warning that such secrecy could lead to greater confusion and public distrust.

“Hindi rin makakatulong ang imbestigasyon ng ICI sa palihim nitong pag-iimbestiga (The ICI investigation won’t be helpful if it is conducted in secret),” Manalo said.

“Kung ano man ang maging resulta nito ay maaaring hindi maging katanggap-tanggap sa mga mamamayan at makadagdag lamang sa nagaganap na kaguluhan at kawalang-katiyakan (Whatever the outcome, it may not be acceptable to the people and could only add to the ongoing chaos and uncertainty),” he added.

INC underscored that transparency is essential to restoring public trust in government institutions.

“Kailangang bukas at kailangang masaksihan ng sambayanan ang mga pagdinig sa isinasagawang imbestigasyon (The hearings in the ongoing investigation must be open and witnessed by the public),” Manalo said.

The INC further emphasized that for peace to prevail, widespread corruption must continue to be investigated with transparency, impartiality, and honesty.

“Isa itong kahayagan ng sinseridad ng mga kinauukulan (This is a manifestation of the sincerity of those in authority),” Manalo said.

INC also expressed concern that political infighting and disputes surrounding the corruption scandal have sown confusion and unrest among the public.

“Ang mga pagtatalu-talo at pag-aalitan na ibinunga ng malaking eskandalo ng katiwalian sa libo-libong flood control projects ng kasalukuyang administrasyon at ang mga pag-aawayang pampulitika ang dahilan ng mga kaguluhan ngayon sa ating bansa (The disputes and arguments stemming from the massive corruption scandal involving thousands of flood control projects under the current administration, along with political infighting, are the root causes of the unrest in our country today),” Manalo said.

He added that, like many Filipinos, the INC is awaiting not only the results of the investigations but also how they will be carried out “in a manner that is truthful and beyond doubt.”

“Gaya ng nararapat, kailangang mapanagot ang pinakaugat ng mga pagnanakaw ng daan-daang bilyong piso sa kaban ng bayan sa panahon pa naman ng paghihirap ng mga mamamayan (As is right and just, those at the very root of the theft of hundreds of billions of pesos from the national treasury must be held accountable—especially during a time when the people are suffering),” he added.

Malacañang, meanwhile, reaffirmed the independence of the ICI, saying President Marcos does not condone any cover-up in the ongoing investigation.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and the ICI are both probing alleged large-scale corruption in the government’s flood control projects, which reportedly cost the public treasury hundreds of billions of pesos.