Manila: The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Monday convened its final hearing of the year to address allegations of irregularities in flood control projects. Attendees included AGAP Party-list Representative Nicanor Briones, Acting Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo, and other personnel from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

According to Philippines News Agency, Representative Briones was granted an executive session and opted not to engage with the media following the hearing. His lawyer, Winston Ginez, dismissed the allegations against Briones in a chance interview, labeling them as "all unfair and unfounded accusations." Ginez asserted that Briones had no involvement with any flood control projects.

In the afternoon session, the ICI met with DBM officials, including Toledo, Undersecretary Janet Abuel, Assistant Secretary Mary Anne Dela Vega, and Director Andrea Celene Magtalas, to discuss alleged budget insertions in the national budget. Toledo emphasized the DBM's role in responding to legislative actions, stating, "We are supposed to be on top of it. But in terms of legislation, we are just reactive because we, of course, depend on the wisdom of the legislators. but as to the preparation, we are on top of that."

Additionally, the Department of Justice (DOJ) held a hearing on Monday regarding two Department of Public Works and Highways officials implicated in the scandal. DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez reported that Henry Alcantara and Brice Hernandez, along with other respondents' counsels, attended a preliminary investigation related to Wawao Builders and Topnotch Catalyst Builders. Martinez explained that these cases were part of six referred back by the Ombudsman, involving charges such as direct bribery, corruption of public officials, malversation through falsification, and violations of the Government Procurement Act and Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.