Senators see abolition of ICI following resignations

MANILA, Philippines — Senators weighed in on what awaits the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), following the series of resignations by its top officials.

Rossana Fajardo is the latest commissioner to resign from the ICI, as the anti-graft body created to investigate flood control corruption focuses on referring its findings to authorities for proper filing of cases.

Former public works secretary Rogelio Singson earlier resigned, citing his health, as well as Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong who resigned as special adviser in September.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III yesterday said his bill creating a more powerful Independent People’s Commission (IPC) is timelier than ever to replace the ICI.

“I think ICI, and the other investigations being or had been conducted, have given ample findings for the Department of Justice and the ombudsman to continue with their work and pursue cases against the guilty ones,” Sotto told reporters yesterday.

The IPC’s sweeping functions include subpoena powers to compel witness attendance and production of evidence; issue lookout orders and recommend hold departure orders; cite witnesses in contempt; grant witness immunity; have “full and unrestricted access” to all government records, reports and data; have access to bank records upon approval of the court; temporarily freeze illegally acquired money and assets; recommend the blacklisting of contractors in anomalous projects and preventively suspend officials under investigation.

The IPC also has the power to deputize the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies to protect witnesses, secure hearings and serve summons and recommend to President Marcos and Congress ways to “strengthen infrastructure governance and prevent the recurrence of anomalies,” such as amending procurement laws, audit standards, contract protocols and project monitoring.

Once passed, the IPC would replace the ICI.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said the latest resignations practically abolished the ICI.

As chair of the Senate justice committee which tackled the IPC bill, he said the creation by law of a more powerful anti-graft body is needed more than ever.

Despite the ICI’s apparent end, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon urged Marcos yesterday to appoint replacements for the resigned officials.

‘Lost cause’

“This can very well be the end of ICI,” House deputy minority leader Rep. Leila de Lima said in a statement.

De Lima said the resignations of Fajardo, Singson and Magalong are a clear indication that the ICI should close shop.

She said Congress should immediately pass the bills seeking to strengthen the ICI through the establishment of the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC).

Members of the minority in the House had blamed the failure to enact the ICAIC for the resignation of Singson.

“This brings us back to our question from the beginning: is the President and his administration really serious about its commitment to hold all those involved – especially the mastermind or masterminds, including powerful politicians – accountable? By not certifying the ICAIC law as urgent, the sincerity of the administration is suspicious,” she added.

For its part, the Makabayan bloc said the ICI is now a lost cause.

“The ICI is a lost cause. Its members have resigned, it has no real transparency and its credibility always in question. It was created to make it appear Marcos was serious about investigating corruption. Three months since its creation, it has unraveled and has exposed the empty anti-corruption rhetoric of the Marcos regime,” the Makabayan bloc said.

They said they also approached the ICI to formally request an investigation related to an anomalous infrastructure budget involving the President. — Jose Rodel Clapano