Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Co expressed concern that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has not fully maximized its mandate to investigate anomalies in government projects, amid reports it will be dismantled on February 1.
In an interview, Co criticized the commission’s creation and operations, saying it lacked transparency and independence.
“Critical kami of ICI from the start. Ito’y dahil executive order lang ‘yung gumawa sa kanya. And nakita natin na selective talaga ‘yung pagtawag sa kung sino para magkaroon ng hearing. And at the end of the day, hindi rin naman nakasubaybay ‘yung media dahil laging naka-executive session,” she said.
Co added that the commission appeared to serve as a tool to control the narrative surrounding infrastructure controversies.
“Meron nga tayong reading na ginawa lang para makontrol ni President (Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’) Marcos Jr. ‘yung narrative. Masabing may tuloy-tuloy siyang gawain pero siyempre dahil may evidence pointing sa kasangkutan niya, kailangang i-redirect ‘yung attention laban do’n,” she noted.
She lamented the reported dismantling of the ICI, saying its functions were not yet maximized.
“Nakakalungkot na mabubuwag ‘yung ICI ng sa tingin ko, hindi pa nama-maximize ‘yung function na supposedly isang komisyon na mag-iimbestiga ng mga anomalya sa imprastraktura,” Co said.
Co stressed that the fight against corruption remains unfinished.
“Baka sa tingin ni President Marcos Jr. na napihit niya na ‘yung narrative and okay na. Pero sa’tin, hindi pa rin tapos ang laban sa korapsyon,” she added.
The remarks came after Senator Imee Marcos revealed that the commission is set to be dissolved this February.