Pressure for Transparency: De Lima questions ICI’s livestream stance
Senator Leila de Lima has challenged the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) over its persistent refusal to livestream its hearings, arguing that true independence includes openness to public scrutiny. In a statement issued on Saturday, October 11, she directly questioned whether President Marcos’ administration agrees with the commission’s stance.
Speaking out about Executive Order No. 94, which established the ICI, De Lima noted perceived loopholes and warned that the commission’s insistence on limited public access could undermine the public’s trust in its mission. “If we say independent commission, it doesn’t mean they will go on their own. Why are they so firm? Is that what the President wants?” she said, underscoring the expectation that an independent body should still operate in a manner that invites accountability.
De Lima stressed that a fact-finding body handling matters of significant public interest must operate with transparency. She argued that livestreaming hearings would help dispel suspicions of whitewashing or political bias and alleviate fears among Filipinos about potential cover-ups during investigations.
Calls for action as other inquiries stall
The complaint gains urgency in the context of ongoing congressional inquiries. With the House Infra Committee’s joint inquiry suspended and the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee yet to schedule hearings, the public is eager for timely updates on the investigation’s status and pace. De Lima asserted that public access to proceedings would illuminate where the investigation stands and what steps lie ahead.
ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka has previously argued against livestreaming, citing concerns that not all information aired publicly is verified or ready for release. De Lima countered that transparency and verification are not mutually exclusive and that structured, public-facing hearings could be balanced with appropriate safeguards for sensitive data.
Addressing the need for stronger oversight beyond transparency
Beyond livestreaming, De Lima emphasized the need for more robust powers for the ICI. She and co-authors of House Bill No. 4453 have advocated expanding the commission’s mandate to enhance oversight capabilities. The senator asked why the House leadership has delayed action on the measure and why the President has yet to certify it as urgent, suggesting that stronger authority is needed to meet public expectations for accountability.
“That’s exactly why we push, along with the co-authors of House Bill No. 4453, to complement it and make it stronger,” De Lima stated, signaling a broader push to elevate the ICI’s effectiveness beyond transparency alone.
What happens next?
As debates over transparency and authority continue, observers will be watching how the ICI responds to calls for public access and whether legislative moves on HB 4453 gain traction. The balance between safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring accountable governance will shape the trajectory of the commission’s investigations and public trust in the government’s infrastructure oversight.
