Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro clarified at a Palace press briefing on Monday that the visit of the U.S. Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Kelleher to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) was merely a courtesy call and not related to the ongoing probe.

During a press briefing in Malacañang, Castro said she personally confirmed the matter with ICI Chairperson Atty. Hosaka, who explained that the meeting only covered the ICI’s mandate and methodology.

“Nagkausap kami mismo at tinawagan natin si Atty. Hosaka. According to him, nagkaroon lang ng courtesy call at inalam lang kung ano ’yong mandato ng ICI,” Castro stated.

When asked if the visit could be an indication that the body might invite foreign development partners to assist in auditing foreign-assisted infrastructure projects, Castro dismissed such speculation.

“Wala silang napag-usapan doon kundi tinanong lang kung ano ’yong mandato at ano ’yong methodology na ginagawa ng ICI. Pero patungkol dyan sa ganyang klaseng mga opinyon, wala silang ganyang napag-usapan,” she said.

Castro also clarified that no offer of assistance had been made by the U.S. side regarding the ongoing investigation.

“Wala rin silang napag-usapan,” she added.

The clarification came after reports surfaced about the U.S. Embassy official’s visit to the ICI, prompting questions about possible foreign involvement in the corruption investigation. The Palace emphasized that the meeting was purely diplomatic and procedural.