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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Finally! ICI livestreams hearing on flood control projects mess

Finally! ICI livestreams hearing on flood control projects mess

Published Dec 2, 2025 01:26 pm

At A Glance

  • The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) livestreamed for the first time on Tuesday, Dec. 2 a hearing on the anomalous flood control projects following non-stop pressure from officials and ordinary Filipinos alike to make its proceedings public.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) livestreamed for the first time on Tuesday, Dec. 2 a hearing on the anomalous flood control projects following non-stop pressure from officials and ordinary Filipinos alike to make its proceedings public.
Laguna 4th district Rep. Benjamin Agarao was the first resource person whose hearing was livestreamed since the ICI started digging into the flood control projects mess almost three months ago.
Agarao was one of the lawmakers implicated by the controversial contractor-couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya in the anomalous flood control projects.
Other lawmakers tagged by the couple were Arjo Atayde of Quezon City's 1st district, Dean Asistio of Caloocan City's 3rd district, Reynante Arrogancia of Quezon City's 3rd district, Odie Tarriela of Occidental Mindoro's lone district, Marivic Co-Pilar of Quezon City's 6th district, and Patrick Michael Vargas of Quezon City's 5th district.
Unlike Agarao, these six lawmakers requested that their hearings be held under executive session. These closed-door proceedings were held last week.
Agarao denied receiving kickbacks from the Discayas, as well as having any personal knowledge about the couple.
But he admitted to knowing another contractor, Alvin Mariano, who the Discayas claimed was the one in touch with the lawmaker.
Also attending Tuesday's livestreaming were Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) officials, who explained the bank's process in releasing a large amount of withdrawals.
The attending officials were its President and CEO Ma. Lynette Ortiz, its Senior Vice President Marilou Villafranca and its First Vice President Cesar Cabañes.
They said they assumed regularity in the transactions since they were signed by authorized individuals, such as officials from the Department of Public Works and HIghways (DPWH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
ICI retired Supreme Court (SC) associate justice Andres Reyes Jr. then requested for copies of cheques issued within the last five years, to which LBP officials said they were willing to do so upon approval by their chief legal counsel.
Meanwhile, four more lawmakers are expected to attend ICI hearings this week. They are House Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos, Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte, Benguet lone district Rep. Eric Yap and Bulacan 1st district Rep. Danilo Domingo.
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