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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Baka magalit ang asawa ko': Laguna solon refuses to surrender cellphone to ICI

'Baka magalit ang asawa ko': Laguna solon refuses to surrender cellphone to ICI

Published Dec 2, 2025 02:33 pm
Laguna 4th district Rep. Benjamin Agarao has refused to surrender his mobile phone to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), saying his wife might "get mad".
In the first livestreamed ICI hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 2, ICI chairman retired Supreme Court (SC) associate justice Andres Reyes Jr. asked Agarao if he was willing to give the body his phone records to verify his defense that he had no exchange of conversation with the Discayas.
To recall, contractor-couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya accused Agarao, among other lawmakers, of receiving kickbacks from them in connection with anomalous flood control projects.
According to Agarao, he owned only two phones: one that belonged to his political party, and his personal unit.
"Your honor, hindi po [ako willing], kasi ang cellphone ko po ay dalawa lang po. Ang aking cellphone, may mga ibang detalye po 'to na hindi ko po pe-pwedeng [ibigay], baka po magalit ang asawa ko (Your honor, I'm not willing to surrender it, because I only have two cellphones. My cellphone has details that cannot be shared. My wife might get mad)," Agarao said hesitantly.
"Kasi po may mga bagay dito, sa asawa ko, na wala naman pong kaugnayan sa nangyayari (Because my cellphone contains details that have no relation to what's happening)," he added.
Reyes then apologized for asking. He said he was only doing his job to gather all information, and that was the reason why he doesn't want to livestream the hearing because of personal matters that might be heard by the public.
"Kaya ayaw namin ng livestreaming, naririnig ng mga tao tungkol sa asawa (That's the reason why we don't want livestreaming, because there are personal matters being mentioned, including those related to wives)," he said.
"But tinatanong ko lang if you're willing to surrender the cellphone, kasi nga po we are investigating everything na na-allege eh. Pasensya na po kung natanong ko. Kaya nga ayaw ko ng live streaming talaga eh (I only asked about your willingness because we are investigating everything that's being alleged. I apologize for asking you that. That's the reason why I really don't want a livestreaming)," he added.
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