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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider QC solons Vargas, Co-Pilar to continue cooperating with ICI

QC solons Vargas, Co-Pilar to continue cooperating with ICI

Published Nov 27, 2025 11:47 pm

At A Glance

  • The two Quezon City congressmen who voluntarily gave their respective testimonies to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) both committed to continue cooperating with the fact-finding body as far as the flood control projects mess was concerned.
Quezon City 5th district Rep. PM Vargas (left), Quezon 6th district Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar (Facebook)
Quezon City 5th district Rep. PM Vargas (left), Quezon 6th district Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar (Facebook)


The two Quezon City congressmen who voluntarily gave their respective testimonies to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) both committed to continue cooperating with the fact-finding body as far as the flood control projects mess was concerned.
Attending separate closed-door hearings Thursday, Nov. 27 at the ICI headquarters in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City were Quezon City 5th district Rep. PM Vargas and 6th district Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar.
It was both their first time to personally give their respective sides to the ICI ever since they were linked to the controversy. They have previously denied any hand in anomalous flood control projects in their respective districts.
Vargas, a House deputy majority leader, said his decision to face the commission was anchored on transparency and accountability.
“Boluntaryo po tayong nagpunta sa ICI upang ipaglaban ang katotohanan (I voluntarily went to the ICI to fight for truth),” Vargas said in a statement after his appearance.
The House leader said he presented documents and supporting records before the ICI to prove that alleged “Discaya projects” do not exist in his district.
“Ipinakita ko po sa ICI ang mga dokumento at iba pang pagpapatunay na wala pong Discaya projects sa District 5, at wala pong ghost projects sa ating Distrito. Nagbigay din po tayo sa ICI na mga impormasyon na sana ay makatulong sa Komisyon sa kanilang mandato,” he said.
(I presented to the ICI the documents and other proof that there are no Discaya projects in District 5, and that there are no ghost projects in our District. We also provided the ICI with information that we hope will assist the Commission in carrying out its mandate.)
Vargas welcomed the opportunity to address the accusations head-on and thanked the commission for hearing him out. “Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ICI sa pagkakataong maituwid ang paninira at maling impormasyon laban sa atin."
(We thank the ICI for the opportunity to correct the defamation and false information against us.)
Meanwhile, Co-Pilar said in a separate statement that she reached out to the ICI two weeks ago.
"Ngayong araw, tinalakay po ang mga proyekto sa Distrito Sais na pinatotohanang WALANG GHOST PROJECTS BATAY SA INSPEKSYON na ginawa ng DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), Quezon CIty Engineering Office at iba pang kinauukulan," she said, the emphasis hers.
(Today, the projects in District Six were discussed and it was confirmed that there are no ghost projects bases on the inspection conducted by the DPWH, the Quezon City Engineering Office, and other concerned agencies.)
"TINALAKAY AT BINIGYAN TAYO NG PAGKAKATAONG ITUWID ang mga akusasyon at maling impormasyon laban sa atin (We were also given the chance to address and correct the accusations and false information against us)," added Co-Pilar.
"Maraming salamat po, patuloy po ang ating pakikipag tulungan sa ICI sa kanilang imbestigasyon at pag tuklas ng katotohanan (Thank you very much. We continue our cooperation with the ICI in its investigation and pursuit of the truth)," she said.
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