ICI holds first livestreamed hearing on floodgate issue

The first live streaming on anomalous flood control projects was held by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Tuesday, 02 December 2025.

Laguna Fourth District Representative Benjamin “Benjie” Agarao Jr., along with Land Bank officials and representatives, was invited by the ICI as resource persons.

Agarao faced the ICI, denying any direct dealings with the Discaya couple or their companies in connection with the flood control projects.

Contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya previously alleged that Agarao extorted money from them.

During the ICI hearing, Agarao said he had no personal knowledge of transactions involving the Discayas.

He also clarified that he never authorized Alvin Mariano, a contractor linked to the Discaya couple, to represent him in any capacity.

Agarao said his role was limited to district-specific initiatives, focusing on requests from village heads and municipal mayors.

He stressed he did not personally control funding allocations.

To recall, the ICI last week had to defend its decision to allow executive sessions, following public frustration as all lawmakers who appeared before the investigative body had requested confidential proceedings.

Other resource persons this week include Representatives Agarao, Danny Domingo, and Eric Yap.

Land Bank said all transactions related to flood control projects were above board. This follows allegations from September, when the bank defended its P457 million cash release to contractor Syms Construction.

Meanwhile, Davao City First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, Bulacan First District Representative Danny Domingo, and Benguet Lone District Representative Eric Yap are set to appear from 03 to 05 December.

ICI spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka last week said the ICI is willing to livestream its proceedings, but the commission is waiting for a resource person who will be willing to broadcast their testimony.

This came after numerous resource persons sought executive sessions following the release of the ICI guidelines for the livestream of its proceedings.

All proceedings and hearings of the ICI, under the guidelines, will be livestreamed, except when there is a need for executive sessions upon the request of government agencies, offices, or units; resource persons; and witnesses.

The ICI announced Tuesday that House Majority Leader Marcos and Davao First District Representative Duterte will appear as resource persons in its hearings this week.

It was not known if the two requested an executive session.