Protesters storm ICI, decry inaction on accused lawmakers
MANILA, Philippines — Frustrated that no one has been held accountable more than two months since the corruption probe into public works projects began, progressive groups stormed the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s office in Taguig City on Friday, demanding transparency and urgency in the investigation.
Protesters were seen rushing toward the gates of the Department of Energy, where the ICI’s headquarters is located, attempting to push past the barriers as security personnel held the line to keep them closed.
The People Surge National Alliance of Disaster Survivors and Kalikasan People’s Network denounced the ICI’s sluggish handling of corruption allegations against top officials, as no charges or detentions have been made months into the probe.
“Dalawang buwan na ang imbestigasyon sa korapsyon sa mga flood control project, ngunit hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring nakukulong at wala pa ring napapanagot," People Surge spokesperson Eufemia "Mimi" Doringo said.
(It’s been two months since the investigation into corruption in flood control projects began, yet no one has been jailed or held accountable.)
The group also slammed the independent body for backtracking on its earlier statement to livestream its currently closed-door hearings.
The ICI has summoned several high-ranking lawmakers accused of pocketing kickbacks from flood control projects through budget insertions. Most showed up, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate President Chiz Escudero, but what unfolded behind closed doors remains secret.
What is known to the public instead is a word war between lawmakers, denying their involvement in the corruption scandal and dismissing the claims as political mudslinging.
ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka on Thursday, October 23, announced the delay in the livestreaming of hearings, saying the commission must first draft its rules. The lack of a clear timeline has further fueled public frustration and raised questions about the probe’s transparency.
Limited, 'toothless'
On top of this word war, protesters questioned why the complaints filed before the Ombudsman have been limited to engineers, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, and contractors allegedly involved in the scheme. Lawmakers identified in congressional testimonies, they pointed out, have yet to face any formal complaint.
"Hindi lang dapat mga kontraktor at engineer ang dapat panagutin, dapat ring umabot sa mga mambabatas ang imbestigasyon, maging ang mga opisyales ng Malacañang na nag-apruba nitong mga proyekto at badyet," Doringo said.
(It’s not only the contractors and engineers who should be held accountable. The investigation should also reach the lawmakers and even officials from Malacañang who approved these projects and budgets.)
She pointed out the irony of millions of Filipinos left homeless and jobless by floods, while public officials accused of stealing billions in public funds remain free and unscathed.
"Hindi lang pagbabago sa klima ang pumapatay sa atin, kundi’ korapsyon rin," Doringo said. (It’s not only climate change that’s killing us, but also corruption.)
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Chairperson Danilo Ramos also denounced the ICI as a "toothless agency," saying it merely serves as a "political prop" to create the illusion that the government is addressing the corruption scandal without "true prosecutions."
Progressive groups vowed to sustain their weekly protests to pressure the Marcos Jr. administration into keeping its promise that no one would be spared from the investigation and that all officials, from the lowest to the highest, would be held accountable.
"Filipinos will not relent. We will keep protesting until justice is served and those who stole from the people are held accountable," Ramos said.
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