Metro Manila, Philippines – The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) should have more teeth to function better in going after corrupt people in the flood control scam, outgoing Commissioner Rogelio Singson said a day after he announced his resignation within the month for health reasons.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Dec. 4, Singson said that the ICI “cannot solely carry the burden” as it needs the support of government institutions, Congress in particular, to institutionalize the probe body by law.
Separate measures have been filed in Congress that aim to establish an independent people’s commission or an independent commission against infrastructure corruption.
Under the executive order that established the commission in September, the ICI has no contempt powers and it may only recommend to the ombudsman the filing charges.
“ICI, as it is today, does not have enough powers to be able to execute as [quickly] as we can what we need to do,” Singson said, adding that a clear mandate by law must be passed before year-end.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III reiterated his push for the measure which he filed in August. A counterpart bill is pending in the House of Representatives.
The bill grants the commission contempt powers over people who refuse to testify or give false or evasive testimonies, among others. It also aims to provide the commission unrestricted access to all records, reports, and data of government agencies.
A number of lawmakers earlier asked the president to certify the bill as urgent.
No political interference
Meanwhile, Singson said there was no political pressure for him to quit.
“I have always been advocating sa (to the) commission na (that) we should focus on the top, we don’t want to focus on the small fries. Collateral na iyan,” he said.
He also rejected remarks that the “ICI is dead” without him on board.
While Singson did not name a possible replacement, he said the next commissioner should be an expert on prosecution and court proceedings.
The 77-year-old former public works chief said he quit because of the heavy work load.
“It’s not that I don’t want to serve. It is just that my body and also the stress on my family, we are not used to this…I want to get my privacy back,” said Singson, adding that ICI Chairman Andres Reyes was aware early on about his three-month stint.
The Palace has yet to accept Singson’s resignation and announce his replacement. His resignation takes effect Dec. 15, but he may extend until year-end.
