Amid growing debate over transparency in government investigations, Kamanggagawa Party-list Representative Elijah “Eli” San Fernando fired back at critics of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) decision to livestream its hearings, saying the public deserves to witness how corruption cases involving billions of pesos are being handled.
San Fernando issued his statement after Makati Business Club Executive Director Rafael Ongpin expressed reservations about the livestreaming plan, warning that it could turn into a “public shaming exercise.”
But San Fernando was unapologetic. In a statement sent to The Manila Times on Tuesday, the lawmaker said the livestreaming of the hearings is not only a matter of transparency but a constitutional right of every Filipino.
“Billions of pesos ang pinag-uusapan dito. Matter of public interest at ibig sabihin, karapatan ng lahat ng Pilipino na malaman kung ano ang tinatakbo ng ICI proceedings. Walang dapat ikatakot lalo na kung kumpyansa ang mga humaharap dito na wala silang tinatago,” San Fernando said.
He added that public outrage—however raw or emotional—is a legitimate response to decades of corruption that have drained public funds and eroded trust in government institutions.
“Kahit pa murahin ng mga tao yung mga humaharap sa ICI o maski mismong ICI, righteous and justified anger ‘yan. Gawin nating kahiya-hiya ang korapsyon up to the last centavo,” he declared.
San Fernando’s fiery remarks echo the growing demand for openness and accountability as the ICI begins its probe into alleged irregularities in flood control projects nationwide.
For the lawmaker, transparency should not be feared—but embraced—as a powerful weapon against corruption.