Independent Commission for Infrastructure to Go Live with Corruption Hearings Next Week

Beginning next week, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will livestream its hearings to allow the public direct access to the proceedings on alleged irregularities in major infrastructure projects across the country.

ICI Chairman Andres Reyes Jr. made the announcement during the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rightshearing on Wednesday, October 22, which tackled corruption allegations surrounding several flood control and public works projects.

“We don’t have the facility, and we don’t have the rules of procedures. In spite of no rules allowing us, we will now go on a livestream next week,” Reyes said. “Once we are able to have the technical capability with us already — I repeat, we will be doing livestream next week,” he added.

The decision came after mounting calls from civil society groups, advocacy organizations, and concerned citizensurging the ICI to make its proceedings public. Advocates argued that transparency through livestreaming would allow Filipinos to follow the investigation closely and hold accountable those involved in what has been described as the largest corruption scandal in Philippine history.

The ICI was created to investigate alleged anomalies in the implementation of public infrastructure projects, including reports of overpricing, ghost projects, and irregular disbursement of funds under various agencies, particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Senators welcomed the move, saying it will strengthen public confidence in the commission’s work. The livestreamed hearings are expected to feature testimonies from engineers, contractors, and government officials linked to questionable transactions.

Chairman Reyes assured the public that the ICI remains committed to transparency and accountability. “The Filipino people deserve to know the truth,” he said, emphasizing that the commission’s mandate is to ensure integrity and fairness in all infrastructure-related investigations.