The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Tuesday rejected claims that Sen. Mark Villar caused a disruption or was escorted out during a hearing on alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
Atty. Brian Keith Hosaka, ICI executive director, said the account published by columnist Ramon Tulfo – alleging an outburst and the senator’s removal by security – was inaccurate.
‘This is not true. The proceedings were orderly, similar to the other hearings conducted by the ICI,’ Hosaka said.
Villar, who led the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) from 2016 to 2021, appeared at the 9 a.m. session after being summoned to testify under oath about the planning, budgeting, execution, supervision, and monitoring of flood control and other infrastructure projects undertaken during his tenure.
Tulfo’s report had claimed Villar bristled at questions about the projects and why his family was being ‘targeted,’ prompting security to escort him out. The ICI’s statement flatly denied that version of events and stated that the hearing ‘proceeded without incident,’ despite the high-profile testimony and the gravity of the allegations under review.
No further details were provided about the next steps in the ICI’s inquiry.