THE Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has urged the Senate to resume its probe into alleged anomalies in flood control projects and called on the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to make its proceedings public.
INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, in a letter read on Net25’s Sa Ganang Mamamayan on Tuesday, said that halting the Senate investigation “for unclear reasons” would hinder accountability for the alleged misuse of billions in public funds.
“The root cause of the theft of hundreds of billions of pesos from the public treasury must be addressed, even in these difficult times. Justice must prevail to prevent others from committing the same wrongdoing,” Manalo said in Filipino.
He stressed that the ICI’s inquiry “will not be credible if done in secret,” warning that lack of transparency would only “add to the ongoing chaos and uncertainty.”
“The hearings of the ongoing investigation must be open, and the public must witness them,” he added.
Manalo underscored that true peace requires a “continuous, transparent, and unbiased” investigation into widespread corruption.
“This will show the sincerity of those involved,” he said, noting that the INC is “peacefully observing” developments and praying that “peace and justice will prevail.”
The call came after Senator Panfilo Lacson postponed the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the alleged flood control fund anomalies, citing the unavailability of key documents and scheduling conflicts.
Meanwhile, ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka defended the commission’s decision not to livestream its hearings, saying it aims to avoid “trial by publicity” and prevent the proceedings from being used for “political leverage or agenda.”
