LAS Piñas Representative Mark Anthony Santos has called on the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to livestream all upcoming hearings on the alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
The move came after reports surfaced about Senator Mark Villar’s emotional outburst during the ICI proceedings last Tuesday. Santos said making the hearings public through livestreaming would promote transparency and restore public trust in the ongoing investigation.
“This is why the ICI should consider live streaming its hearings — so that the people themselves can see what’s really happening. Kung may live stream, eh di walang ganyan sana,” Santos said.
The lawmaker emphasized that Senator Villar should no longer be treated as a mere resource person, but rather as a respondent or defendant, citing his past role as Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary from 2016 to 2021 and his current position as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works.
“Given his previous position and influence over DPWH projects, the ICI should again summon Villar to shed light on the flood control anomalies,” Santos added.
Santos also noted that former Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is conducting an investigation into possible conflict of interest violations involving I&E Construction, a company allegedly linked to Villar’s cousin and former Las Piñas mayoral candidate Carlo Aguilar.
The company reportedly secured ₱18.5 billion worth of government contracts, including major DPWH flood control projects under scrutiny by the ICI.
“Dapat transparent ang ICI para makita ng mamamayan kung sino ang tama. Ayaw kasi ipublic eh—sino ngayon ang papaniwalaan ng tao?” Santos said.
He further questioned the secrecy surrounding the commission’s hearings, saying that public access is the best safeguard against cover-ups and political influence.
“Why the secrecy? Dapat gawing public ang ICI hearing. The people have the right to know. Pera ng taumbayan ang pinag-uusapan dito,” Santos stressed.
Santos also cited that even religious organizations such as the Iglesia ni Cristo have supported calls for open hearings in the interest of transparency and truth.
“Yan nga ang clamor ng bayan—open the proceedings. Kung public ang hearing, wala nang he-said, they-said. Let the people see the truth,” he concluded.
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