The House of Representatives is set to expedite the passage of a bill that would institutionalize and grant broader powers to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) — the body formed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to investigate alleged irregularities in government flood control projects.
Bulacan 6th District Representative Salvador Pleyto, chairperson of the House Committee on Government Reorganization, said Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III has instructed him to act swiftly on the proposal to strengthen the ICI.
Pleyto, who was earlier named by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla among those allegedly linked to “remittances” from contractor-couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya, announced that the committee will conduct a public hearing on November 11.
“Ito po ay para ma-strengthen natin, mapalakas natin yung ngipin ng ICI. Alam naman natin na wala silang contempt power, subpoena power. Bibigyan din natin sila ng karapatan na mag-hold departure order,” Pleyto said in an interview.
He explained that the proposed measure would grant the ICI the authority to directly file cases before the Sandiganbayan, the country’s anti-graft court.
“Siguro walang congressman na kokontra dito kasi para sa ikabubuti ng ating taumbayan ito para matapos na po itong mga korapsyon na ito… Imagine, wala silang pondo galing lang sa contingent fund ng ating Pangulo. Kailangan magkakaroon sila ng sarili nilang pondo para sa machineries nila, para sa staff nila, yung secretariat para sa suweldo, yung iba pang pangangailangan,” he added.
On Monday, despite the House Secretariat’s work suspension, Pleyto’s panel held a technical briefing to discuss House Bills Nos. 4453 and 5699, authored by Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Representative Leila de Lima and Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco, respectively.
Both bills aim to formally establish and institutionalize the ICI as a permanent, independent body tasked with leading investigations into corruption-ridden infrastructure projects.
Pleyto said Speaker Dy wants the House to approve the measure on third and final reading by November 17.
After the committee’s deliberations, the bill will be forwarded to the House Committee on Appropriations to finalize its budgetary provisions.
Pleyto also said he intends to request Speaker Dy to seek Malacañang’s certification of the measure as urgent to speed up its enactment.
Meanwhile, similar bills have been filed in the Senate by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros, signaling bicameral support for the institutionalization of the ICI.