Marilyn Cahatol

Facade of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) headquarters in Taguig City Photo taken on October 15, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:604px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176075190636320251015-ici-facade-taguig-MT10.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Facade of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) headquarters in Taguig City Photo taken on October 15, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Facade of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) headquarters in Taguig City Photo taken on October 15, 2025. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — A US Embassy official&#x27;s visit to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure on Friday has raised questions on who has access to the panel, which has been criticized for being stingy with details on its probe into corruption in government projects. </p><p>US Embassy Acting Deputy Chief Michael Keheller visited the ICI office in Taguig with what ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka described as an inquiry.</p><p>&quot;We explained to him the mandate of the ICI based on EO (Executive Order) 94 and at the same time what we have done so far,&quot; Hosaka said.</p><p>“Na para bang may awtoridad ang Estados Unidos sa mga internal na usapin ng ating bansa, habang pinananatiling bulag ang mga Pilipino,” fisherfolk group Pamalakaya said Saturday.</p><p>(It&#x27;s as if the US has authority over our internal affairs, while Filipinos are being kept in the dark)</p><p>Pamalakaya said it was “unacceptable and insulting” that the ICI, which has firmly rejected <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/6/more-transparency-sought-from-ici-1729">calls to livestream </a>the hearings for the sake of transparency, welcomed a foreign diplomat to a meeting “with open arms.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/9/magalong-no-anomalies-in-closed-door-ici-hearings-0134"><strong>Magalong: No anomalies in closed-door ICI hearings</strong></a></div><p>“US interference gusto, transparency and public hearings ayaw?” Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co said in a post on X.</p><p>(They&#x27;re open to US interference, but not to transparency and public hearings?) </p><p>“What the hell is the US doing interfering on this matter?” former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño said on his X account. </p><p>Lance Alba, vice chair of youth group Anakbayan, said the visit gave the US envoy access to the investigation while Filipinos were “left in the dark.”</p><p>“Ano bang papel niya diyan?&quot; he also said on X.</p><p>(What role does he have there?)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>NO TALK ON HELPING FIND ZALDY CO</strong></div><p>Hosaka on Friday said Keheller&#x27;s visit did not include discussion on the embassy&#x27;s possible assistance, especially in bringing home former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co (no relation to Kabataan Rep. Co).</p><p>Zaldy Co had been in the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/4/rep-zaldy-co-in-us-house-spox-1345">US for &quot;medical treatment&quot;</a> when anger over corruption in the flood projects led to protests and a change in leadership at the Senate and at the House of Representatives.</p><p>&quot;Wala namang ganung napag-usapan. Ang gusto lang nilang malaman ay ano yung ginagawa, para bang getting to know,&quot; Hosaka said Friday.</p><p>(There was no discussion about that. They just wanted to know what the ICI does, like getting to know.)</p><p>Co is believed to still be abroad and has yet to meet with the ICI despite its issuance of a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/2/ici-says-to-resend-hearing-invites-for-romualdez-co-2039">subpoena </a>over his alleged involvement in the flood control insertions in previous national budgets.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/29/ici-recommends-filing-of-cases-against-zaldy-co-over-mindoro-flood-control-project-1411"><strong>ICI recommends raps vs Co, other DPWH officials amid &#x27;irregularities&#x27; in P290-M Mindoro project</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SxXFIaXIa9c?si=WpJFUhtsoSMYo2oD" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>A US Embassy official's visit to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure on Friday has raised questions on who has access to the panel, which has been criticized for being stingy with details on its probe into corruption in government projects.</p>

A US Embassy official's visit to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure on Friday has raised questions on who has access to the panel, which has been criticized for being stingy with details on its probe into corruption in government projects.

US Embassy official's visit to ICI office raises questions

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

US Embassy official's visit to ICI office raises questions

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 18, 2025 01:13 PM PHT

Read More:

US embassy

Independent Commission for Infrastructure

Teddy Casino

Renee Co

Akbayan

Pamalakaya

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.