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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider No US interference in diplomat's ICI visit — Hosaka

No US interference in diplomat's ICI visit — Hosaka

Published Oct 20, 2025 09:00 pm

At A Glance

  • The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Monday, Oct. 20, denied any United States (US) interference to the body's ongoing investigation into the anomalous flood control projects following the visit to the headquarters of a ranking American diplomat.
US Embassy in the Philippines (File Photo/MB)
US Embassy in the Philippines (File Photo/MB)
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Monday, Oct. 20, denied any United States (US) interference to the body's ongoing investigation into the anomalous flood control projects following the visit to the headquarters of a ranking American diplomat.
ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka said Michael Kelleher, the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Manila, only inquired what the commission was all about.
Besides, there was not anything tackled "outside of what we've already informed the public or the Filipino", the ICI official said.
"They were just asking questions about the ICI. So we didn't divulge anything," Hosaka said in a press conference.
"So, there was no interference as far as we are concerned," he added.
On Oct. 17, Kelleher became the the first foreign official to set foot inside the four corners of the room that was hosting the investigation on the anomalous flood control projects in the country.
His visit raised questions about supposed foreign interference into the body's work.
"US interference gusto, transparency and public hearings aya (They want US interference, but not transparency and public hearing)?” Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, fishers' group Pamalakaya said Kelleher's visit was “unacceptable and insulting" considering that ICI, which had rejected calls to livestream its hearings for the sake of transparency, welcomed a foreign diplomat to a meeting "with open arms".
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