Malacañang backs bills creating independent body vs. infra corruption

Metro Manila, Philippines - Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is supportive of proposed legislative measures to institutionalize an independent commission to look into corruption in infrastructure projects.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which will investigate alleged anomalies in flood control and related projects in the last 10 years, will end once it accomplishes its investigation or unless sooner dissolved by the president. 

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the proposed bills seeking to create a similar body proved the ICI’s importance.

“Welcome ang lahat na maaaring maitulong para mas maging malakas ang kapangyarihan ng independent commission,” Castro told a news briefing on Tuesday, Sept. 16.

“Iisa lang din ang adhikain nito, iisa ang layunin nito: Mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot,” she added.

[Translation: All the help to empower the independent commission is welcome. It has one objective: Seek accountability.]

Senate President Tito Sotto has filed Senate Bill 1215 for a permanent Independent People’s Commission that will crack down on corruption in various infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, several members of the House of Representatives are also pushing for a stronger independent body.

Asked whether Marcos is open to certify Sotto’s bill as urgent, Castro said: “Opo, lalo kung ito ay makakabuti sa gagawin na mas malawak na kapangyarihan ng independent commission.”

[Translation: Yes, especially if it will improve the independent commission and give it more powers.]

Authors of House Bill 4453, which seeks the creation of the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC), will primarily give the independent commission contempt powers. 

Marcos did not grant contempt powers to ICI–only subpoena powers–as the ICI is only a fact-finding commission.

“Pero kung ‘yon ay ibibigay sa independent commission ng mga mambabatas, maganda ‘yan na suhestiyon at ‘yon po ay welcome na welcome sa pangulo,” Castro said.

[Translation: If lawmakers will give the independent commission contempt powers, that’s a good suggestion that will be welcomed by the president.]

“Kung maganda ang nilalaman ng bill, makakaasa tayo sa pangulo [ng certification as urgent],” she also said.

[Translation: We can rely on the president’s certification as urgent for the bill if the content is good.]

Malacañang said the ICI, headed by former Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr., has started its work.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the ICI’s maintenance and other operating expenses and capital outlays may be charged from this year’s contingent fund.

Pangandaman said at least P21 million may be given for personnel services, but she said they were still waiting for the announcement of the ICI’s executive director to give a definite amount.