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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Is that what Marcos wants?' De Lima hits ICI's refusal to livestream hearings

'Is that what Marcos wants?' De Lima hits ICI's refusal to livestream hearings

Published Oct 11, 2025 06:14 pm

At A Glance

  • Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima hit the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) for its continued refusal to livestream its hearings.
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (PPAB)
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (PPAB)
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima hit the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) for its continued refusal to livestream its hearings.
In a statement Saturday, Oct. 11, De Lima openly asked if that was what President Marcos ordered the ICI to do.
De Lima, who had early on pointed out loopholes in Marcos' Executive Order (EO) No. 94 that established ICI, said it was not what she was expecting from the supposedly independent body.
"'Pag sinabing 'independent' commission, hindi ibig sabihin, magsasarili na lang, magso-solo. Ito bang pagmamatigas ng ICI, ito rin ba ang gusto ng Pangulo? (If we say independent commission, it doesn't mean they will go on their own. Why are they so firm? Is that what the President wants?)'" she asked.
De Lima says that if Marcos is one with the people's clamor for transparency, then he must urge the very body he created to livestream its hearings.
"A fact-finding body like the ICI, dealing with matters of such importance must be transparent and open. People need to know what’s happening to allay fears and dispel any suspicion of a potential cover-up or whitewash," De Lima said.
"With the House Infra Comm joint inquiry already suspended, and no hearing yet scheduled by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Filipinos are eager to know the current status and the pacing of the investigation," she added.
ICI had repeatedly turned down calls from the public to livestream its hearings in fear that it would be used for political agenda.
ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka also argued that not all information being shared before the body were verified truth.
Meanwhile, De Lima also said that ICI urgently needs greater power aside from transparency.
"That’s exactly why we have been pushing, along with the co-authors of House Bill No. 4453, to complement it and make it stronger."
"We are wondering: What’s taking the House leadership so long to act on it? And why hasn’t the President certified it as urgent?" she added.
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