The Independent Commission for Infrastructure livestreamed its first hearing on December 2, 2025, addressing the flood control mess. Laguna 4th District Representative Benjamin Agarao Jr. and Land Bank of the Philippines officials were invited. The session follows allegations of extortion by top flood control contractors.
On December 2, 2025, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) livestreamed its first hearing in Manila, Philippines, focusing on issues in flood control projects. Laguna 4th District Representative Benjamin “Benjie” Agarao Jr. and officials and representatives from the Land Bank of the Philippines were invited to provide testimony.
Previous reports indicate that top flood control contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya alleged that Agarao extorted money from them. This forms part of a broader investigation into white-collar corruption in infrastructure, particularly in Region 4B (Mimaropa), where arrest warrants have been issued against Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials.
Targets include the regional director, two assistant regional directors, chiefs of the construction, maintenance, quality assurance and hydrology, and planning and design divisions, an accountant IV, project engineer III, materials engineer, and members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC). The board of directors of Sunwest Corporation is also facing arrest for a substandard river dike project worth P289.5 million.
An opinion piece by Raymund E. Narag, PhD, highlights the human cost of such corruption, which leads to project failures causing floods and harm to Filipino lives. “Silence is complicity,” he states, referring to the silence of technical staff who should serve as checks and balances in the bureaucracy.
No contradictions are noted in the sources, but the hearing aims to shed light on allegations of collusion and rigged bidding in flood control funds.