Justice Secretary Boying Remulla defended President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s decision to create the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to investigate anomalies in public works projects.
Remulla emphasized that the ICI is different from the Philippine Truth Commission formed in 2010, which was struck down by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional.
He explained that the Truth Commission was challenged because it focused solely on the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In contrast, the ICI—also created through an Executive Order—will investigate corruption within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over the past years.
The DOJ chief added that committee reports from both the Senate and the House of Representatives would be helpful to the ICI’s probe, but insisted the commission’s investigation would be more thorough.
“When we get this legislative reports, they are not as comprehensive as they should be,” Remulla said.
He added, “Alam mo naman, deep inside kailangan pa rin i-case build up lahat yan. Kami, we will rely on the evidence, cooperation will go along (the) way.”
It will be recalled that on his first day in office, then newly elected President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III established the Philippine Truth Commission led by former Supreme Court Justice Hilario Davide Jr. to investigate and pursue corruption cases linked to the Arroyo administration.