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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider ICI: Closed-door hearings for Romulo, Domingo

ICI: Closed-door hearings for Romulo, Domingo

Published Dec 3, 2025 12:03 pm  |  Updated Dec 3, 2025 01:47 pm

At A Glance

  • The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Wednesday, Dec. 3, granted the request of two lawmakers implicated in the flood control projects mess to hold their hearings in executive sessions after their respective lawyers cited threats to safety and possible public backlash.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Wednesday, Dec. 3, granted the request of two lawmakers implicated in the flood control projects mess to hold their hearings in executive sessions after their respective lawyers cited threats to safety and possible public backlash.
No less than ICI chairman retired Supreme Court (SC) associate justice Andres Reyes Jr. granted Pasig lone district Rep. Roman Romulo’s and Bulacan 1st district Rep. Danny Domingo’s respective requests to have closed-door hearings.
Romulo’s counsel said the request was made ”on the ground that the disclosure of the information that will be provided…at this point would potentially put the life and safety of an individual, particularly of the good congressman’s life and safety in danger".
Romulo’s counsel said livestreaming the proceedings “could be misused by members of the public to malign the reputation of the good congressman and would create an environment that would not favor an impartial deliberation on the matter at hand".
“And to prevent the potential harm to the reputation and life of the good congressman, considering that once the session is live-streamed, the good congressman would have no control over how the information will then be used by the public,” his counsel added.
Romulo’s trial was scheduled at 9:30 a.m.
Meanwhile, Domingo, whose hearing started at around 11:30 a.m., also requested for the same treatment. Domingo's counsel says the lawmaker “has already been maligned,” considering that his province is at the epicenter of the flood control controversy.
Domingo, according to his counsel, “has received significant backlash despite the fact that there was no credible or any categorical allegation made against him".
“Likewise, your honors, as we understand it, anything that the good congressman will say in this proceedings can and could be used against him. Unfortunately your honors, we cannot control how the public could misconstrue or misinterpret any of the information that would be elicited during this hearing,” his counsel said.
“Hence, the good congressman could further be unduly prejudiced by live-streaming these proceedings,” he added.
Romulo was requested to be placed under Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) after being implicated by contractor-couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya in the kickback scheme. Meanwhile, Domingo went under fire after some ghost flood control projects cornered by controversial construction firms were located in his district.
So far, only one congrssman--Laguna 4th district Rep. Benjamin Agarao--has agreed to livestream his hearings since ICI’s livestreaming rules were implemented. 
Those who refused to make their proceedings public 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.
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