The Independent Commission for Infrastructure has begun streaming its hearings live for the first time, today, December 2. The move answers growing public demand for transparency as investigators dig into alleged corruption tied to flood control projects and other infrastructure contracts handled over the past decade.
The livestream opened Tuesday morning with scheduled appearances from Laguna 4th District Representative Benjie Agarao at 9:30 a.m. and officials from Land Bank at 10:30 a.m. Both Agarao and the Land Bank representatives have asked for an executive session. The commission has not announced its decision on their request.
More lawmakers and officials are lined up for the next round of hearings from December 3 to 5. The list includes Bulacan 1st District Representative Danny Domingo, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, and Benguet Representative Eric Yap
The commission’s decision to open its hearings came after weeks of public pressure urging it to match the Senate blue ribbon committee’s approach to its own flood control investigation. The Senate has been publicly releasing its proceedings, prompting citizens to demand the same level of openness.
The ICI initially resisted livestreaming and argued that closed-door proceedings would prevent trial by publicity. The commission reconsidered this policy in October and formally released updated hearing guidelines on November 21.
Under these guidelines, all hearings will be public and streamed live unless a proceeding meets specific conditions for confidentiality. Executive sessions may be granted if a resource person requests one and if the disclosure of certain information could compromise national defense or security. The rules also allow confidentiality when revealing information could endanger a person’s life or safety.
President Bongbong Marcos created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure on September 11 through Executive Order 94 following reports and investigations into alleged irregularities in the implementation of flood control projects across the country.
