Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong has raised serious concerns about the ongoing ICI hearing, particularly criticizing the request for an executive session and the apparent lack of transparency surrounding the proceedings. He questioned why certain individuals or lawmakers continue to push for closed-door hearings if the goal is truly transparency.
“If you ask me, especially if it’s about the request for an executive session, it definitely raises questions,” said Magalong, hinting that this request might be a cover-up for potential anomalies. He suggested that, based on the evidence he had seen, there was a sense that something might be hidden. “If there’s something to hide, you’ll get a sense of it, especially with the evidence I’ve seen,” he emphasized.
Magalong pointed to a specific example, questioning the unusually high budget allocation for certain districts, particularly noting the rise in one congressman’s budget post-bicam. “Why is it that after the bicam, your budget is at P20.9 billion?” he asked. “How did these congressmen get such large allocations?”
The Mayor also criticized the limited and often ineffective livestreaming of the hearings. “What’s the point of livestreaming if it’s all just about the executive sessions?” he remarked. “I’ve seen only one livestream—most of the hearings are closed to the public.”
Magalong also referred to his experience with interviews with influential figures that failed to provide substantial insights. “I’ve had interviews with high-profile personalities, but it felt like I was talking to a janitor, with no real knowledge or insights being shared.”
His frustration mounted as he questioned the handling of public funds, particularly the billions of pesos that have seemingly disappeared without consequence. “How is it that billions of pesos have gone missing, and no one seems to know anything about it?” Magalong asked. “Did anyone even conduct an investigation? Did anyone file a case?”
The claims about the lack of transparency are echoed by the ongoing criticisms of ICI’s closed-door hearings. In the case of lawmakers like Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo and Bulacan Rep. Danny Domingo, closed-door hearings were granted due to safety and reputational concerns, and both hearings lasted less than five minutes. ICI Chair Andres Reyes Jr. approved the executive sessions without question.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to correct your reputation when people think you’re banned from traveling,” Romulo remarked after voluntarily appearing before the ICI. Romulo denied accusations of corruption, stating that these claims were politically motivated.
Similarly, Domingo’s legal counsel requested an executive session, stating concerns that livestreaming the hearing would endanger the lawmaker’s life. “We cannot control how the public could misconstrue or misinterpret any of the information that would be elicited during this hearing,” Domingo’s lawyer Alex Lopez added.
Magalong’s concerns about the efficacy of these processes reflect broader frustrations with the ICI’s transparency. As the investigation into the flood control projects continues, questions regarding accountability, the handling of billions of pesos, and the need for more concrete actions remain unresolved.
