Metro Manila, Philippines – The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) went live with its hearings for the first time on Tuesday, Dec. 2, in response to calls for transparency in the multibillion-peso flood fund scam probe.
Laguna 4th district Rep. Benjie Agarao Jr., tagged by contractor-couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya, faced the commission over allegations that he received kickbacks.
Agarao denied links with the Discayas and said he does not personally know the couple.
He also rejected their accusation of receiving P9 million in cash advance to secure flood control projects.
“Hindi po ako nakaupo noon your honor. Hindi ko personal na kilala o kaibigan ang mag-asawang discaya. Mali ang paratang nila sa akin wala akong kakayahan para palitan ang pera na iyon,” Agarao told the commissioners, noting that he got elected as representative only this year.
[Translation: I was not seated at that time, Your Honor. I do not personally know nor am I friends with the Discaya couple. Their accusation against me is false, I do not have the ability to exchange that money.]
The lawmaker was Laguna 4th district representative from 2004 to 2007 and 2013 to 2022. His daughter, Jam Agarao, served the same position from 2022 to 2025.
Commissioners also asked Agarao if he knew a certain Alvin Mariano – the supposed middleman between him and the Discayas.
Agarao said he only knew Mariano as a contractor in his district, but there was no engagement between them..
The Laguna lawmaker also dismissed claims that he received an exotic bulldog on top of the money benefits. It was not specified where the supposed gift came from.
“Mahilig po ako sa aso. Ang mga aso ko po e malalaki po, german shepherd…hindi po ako mahilig sa bulldog kasi malaway po iyon,” he said.
[Translation: I love dogs. My dogs are big, German Shepherds. I’m not fond of bulldogs because they drool a lot.]
ICI Commissioner Rogelio Singson also enumerated big-ticket flood control structures in Laguna’s 4th district this year, but Agarao appeared to be unaware of these projects.
“My suggestion if you don’t mind, paki-monitor niyo nga ito. We’ll give you seven working days to let us know the status of the contractor nitong flood control projects kasi maraming nangyari, alam niyo naman sa flood control, we just want to be able to make sure na tama ang projects sa distrito at ginagawa nang tama according to specifications at hindi sila ghost,” Singson said.
[Translation: My suggestion, if you don’t mind, please monitor this. We will give you seven working days to let us know the status of the contractor for these flood control projects because many things have happened. You know how it is with flood control — we just want to make sure that the projects in the district are correct and are being done properly according to specifications, and that they are not ghost projects.]
Asked if he is willing to surrender phone records, Agarao refused saying some personal matters are on his gadgets.
Meanwhile, officials from the Landbank of the Philippines also faced the ICI probe.
Singson questioned bank officials on the practice of opening multiple accounts by contractors.
“During their interview, the reason for the contractors is that they have to open accounts per project so that’s per project,” Marilou Villafranca, Landbank senior vice president, said.
“And you believed them?” Singson responded.
Rep. Marcos, Duterte to face ICI
Also expected to appear before the commission this week are presidential son and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos and Davao 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte, the former president’s son.
The lawmakers have not yet requested an executive session, according to ICI’s latest advisory.
Marcos earlier expressed his intent to face the ICI after former House appropriations chairman Zaldy Co linked him to alleged budget insertions.
On Tuesday, Dec. 2, ACT Teacher’s party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio formally asked the commission to probe the alleged anomalous flood control projects in Davao, Duterte’s district.
The commission has also scheduled the appearance of Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, who was tagged in the flood control mess, and Rep. Danny Domingo of the Bulacan 1st district where a number of anomalous projects were identified.
