ACT Teacher’s Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said it would be better to invite key personalities in the flood control scam, once the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) guidelines to livestream their proceedings have been finalized.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH’s Isyung Pambayan on Sunday, October 26, Tinio acknowledged the initiative to livestream the succeeding ICI hearings, calling it a “positive step.”
“Mas mabuting televised kaysa hindi. Pero unfortunately, ba’t ngayon lang? Kung sana nakinig na ang ICI na sa simula pa lamang ay dapat ginawa nang transparent or at least, livestreamed ‘yung proceedings,” Tinio questioned.
“Nevertheless, mas mabuting nang ma-livestream ang mga susunod [na pagdinig]. Kaya lang, ang latest statement ay gagawa pa raw ng guidelines muna ang ICI. dapat madaliin nila ito at tiyakin na walang bagong importanteng witnesses na haharap na hindi naka-livestream,” he added.
Several key personalities had already been invited and questioned by the independent body, including high-profile senators, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and other government officials. During the said hearings, the individuals gave their testimonies. However, the public was not informed as to what those testimonies were specifically.
According to the ICI Spokesperson, Atty. Brian Hosaka, as of now, the commission has yet to identify a legislator involved in the said anomalous projects. Tinio said this might be because the ICI is conducting its investigation from the bottom up, starting with the contractors and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel.
“Medyo nababahala tayo doon. Sa kabila ng direktang na testimonya na ‘yung mga undersecretary, sina Henry Alcantara, na directly itinuturo ang ilang senador at congressmen bilang proponent…pero sa statement ng official spokesperson ng ICI, wala pa daw silang natutukoy na legislator,” Tinio emphasized.
“Para sa atin, hindi magandang development ‘yan kung totoo nga dahil talagang nakabantay ang publiko at mariin sa panawagan na dapat managot ‘yung mga sangkot…kasama sa pinaka responsible dito ‘yung legislators mismo,” he added.
Last week, ICI Chairman Andres Reyes Jr. announced that they would be livestreaming their upcoming hearings to the public.
