MANILA — House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos appeared before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) but requested that his testimony be held in a closed-door executive session.

Marcos’ legal counsel, Michelle Lazaro, said the lawmaker’s public testimony could “jeopardize or compromise further investigation of this commission” into alleged corruption in Congress. She added that Marcos voluntarily presented himself to the ICI and is willing to provide information candidly to aid the investigation.

“I came here on a voluntary basis so I could help the ICI with their investigation. I was not served a subpoena, I am not subject to any investigation,” Marcos told reporters. “However, I am willing to give and tell the ICI anything that I might know that will further the investigation.”

Marcos also agreed to make his sworn affidavits public.

The presidential son was mentioned in the flood control corruption scandal after former lawmaker Elizaldy Co alleged that Marcos ordered yearly budget insertions. Marcos has dismissed these claims as false, saying Co aims to destabilize the government.

Reports from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) noted that Marcos’ district in Ilocos received the highest share of allocable infrastructure funds from 2023 to 2025, totaling P15.8 billion from the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Co’s allegations refer to at least P50 billion worth of public works projects allegedly inserted into the 2023, 2024, and 2025 budgets. In the legislative process, insertions refer to modifications made from the National Expenditure Program prepared by the Department of Budget and Management when crafting the general appropriations bill that becomes law.

ICI chief Andres Reyes Jr. approved the request for the executive session, consistent with the procedure for other resource persons appearing before the body.