LAWMAKERS on Wednesday said the decision of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) to livestream next week’s hearings on alleged multibillion-peso flood control irregularities will restore public trust, giving citizens a front-row seat to the investigation.
Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos, Party-list Reps. Chel Diokno of Akbayan, Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro,Elijah San Fernando of Kamangagagawa and Rep. Leila de Lima of Mamamayang Liberal called the decision a necessary step toward transparency amid growing public distrust over the flood control investigation.
‘This is a positive step toward transparency. The people deserve to see the process unfold. Livestreaming the hearings will help restore public trust and dispel doubts about the fairness of the investigation,’ Santos said.
On October 12, Santos called on the ICI to make its proceedings public, citing growing public interest and the need to prevent misinformation surrounding the flood control controversy.
‘If there is a livestream, there should be no speculation or false news. What’s important is for the public to see the truth for themselves,’ Santos emphasized.
He also noted that the livestreaming initiative would serve as a deterrent against political interference and provide the public with a clearer picture of how the investigation is being conducted.
‘Why the secrecy? We are talking about the people’s money here. The hearings should always be open to the public. Sunlight is the best disinfectant,’ he said.
Santos expressed hope that the livestreaming initiative would become a permanent practice for all major government investigations, particularly those involving public funds and infrastructure projects.
Similarly, Diokno hailed the ICI’s decision, stressing that the public has a right to know what happens during the hearings.
‘Once the hearing is livestreamed, the public will be able to witness the course of the investigation and see how the officials involved in stealing the taxes they collected will be held accountable,’ Diokno said. He also urged the Commission to disclose previous discussions and decisions to ensure full transparency.
For his part, Ridon, co-chairperson of the House of Repreesentatives Commitee on Infrastructure, said livestreaming would allow the public to witness disclosures, admissions, and evidence presented by high-level officials, government employees, and private contractors identified during investigations by both the House Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Blue-Ribbon committee.
Also, San Fernando called the decision a ‘small but necessary step’ toward transparency amid growing public distrust over the flood control probe.
De Lima, for her part, said the decision to livestream its proceedings is a ‘long-overdue’ step toward transparency and accountability.