Senators pushing to pass bill creating independent commission despite Palace’s ‘lack of enthusiasm’

Metro Manila, Philippines – Some senators seek to pass the bill that would institutionalize the independent commission to probe anomalous infrastructure deals, despite Malacañang’s lack of support on the measure.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he will still pursue the bill that would establish a so-called Independent People’s Commission, even though it was not certified as urgent by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

The bill, which Sotto filed in August, seeks to strengthen the powers of the current Independent Commission for Infrastructure, granting the body contempt powers and immunity for witnesses, as needed. 

A separate measure to institute an “Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption” was also filed in the House of Representatives. 

Last week, ICI commissioner Rogelio Singson – who resigned three months into his role – urged the Congress to institutionalize the investigating body, citing limitations to hasten the probe on flood control anomalies.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson said he believes that the ICI “is serving its purpose in flushing out useful information, to say the least, for the Ombudsman and DOJ to proceed with their preliminary investigation and come up with solid cases against those responsible in the plunder of public funds.”

The ICI has made eight case referrals to the Ombudsman since it was formed by Marcos in September via an executive order. One of its case recommendations was the basis of the Ombudsman to file graft and malversation charges against former House appropriations chairman Zaldy Co and 15 others over a P290 million substandard road dike in Oriental Mindoro. 

“I wonder why Malacanang’s enthusiasm is lost all of a sudden,” said Lacson. 

Meanwhile, former Senate President Franklin Drilon said the Congress should pass the bill with the sunset clause, which would make the commission’s mandate effective until the end of the Marcos administration on June 30, 2028.

“People are angry at the massive corruption and will get angrier if the ICI bill is vetoed. PBBM (President Bongbong Marcos) is playing with fire,” he said.

Ombudsman Boying Remulla earlier said in a televised interview that the ICI may only have two months left before it wraps up its investigation into questionable flood control deals.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said that while the matter has not been discussed yet, Remulla’s claim may be possible.