Metro Manila, Philippines – While the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has livestreamed some of its hearings for the first time this week, a number of senators are unhappy that the body still holds executive or closed-door sessions from time to time.
“Kasi kanina nanonood ako tsaka yung past few days, pwede ka palang tumanggi (sa live streaming) hindi gaya dito na hindi,” Senator Erwin Tulfo said in chance interview with reporters on Thursday, Dec. 4.
[Earlier I was watching, even in the past few days. It turns out you can actually refuse -unlike here where you can’t.]
“Or kung may executive session, gaya sa atin, sandali lang then we have to go out again dahil may mga important matters,” he added.
[Translation; Or if there is one, like in our case, it’s brief and we have to come back out because there are important matters.]
Tulfo said there could be negative public perception about possible coverup, though he said the final decision rests with the ICI.
Senate committee on justice and human rights chairperson Kiko Pangilinan said the frequent executive sessions could be avoided if the ICI is strengthened through legislation.
“Marahil kung mas maganda ang kanilang legal standing, dahil batas, hindi lang executive order at mas malawak ang kapangyarihan, palagay ko hindi mangyayari yun,” he said.
[Translation: Perhaps if they had stronger legal standing—through a law, not just an executive order—and broader authority, I don’t think that would happen.]
The bill institutionalizing an Independent People’s Commission may be tackled in the Senate plenary next week, said Pangilinan, who led the committee hearings into the measure.
He said former public works secretary Babes Singson’s resignation from the ICI — admitting the body’s limitations — should be even more reason to pass the legislation.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III filed the bill in August amid the flood control corruption scandal. He noted that the ICI can only invite resource persons to its proceedings, unlike the Office of the Ombudsman or the Department of Justice, which have investigative and subpoena powers.
Sotto is also pushing for a sunset provision that would allow the IPC to operate until the end of the Marcos administration in 2028, noting that it would investigate not just infrastructure projects but other anomalies in government.
Pangilinan believes the measure has a better chance of being approved before the Christmas break if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certifies it as urgent.
