The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has broadened its ranks as it pushes forward with the probe into questionable flood control projects in the country.
ICI Chairperson, former Justice Andres Reyes, Jr., formalized a partnership through a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), and the Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG).
Sotto, along with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, is part of the Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) coalition.
Representing M4GG were Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, who both vowed to actively support the investigation. They also called on local chief executives to closely monitor and review Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects in their respective areas.
“Ensure that all mayors na kasama sa aming samahan na makikipagtulungan at sila po lahat ay inatasan na namin na magsagawa ng iba-ibang imbestigasyon sa kanilang areas of jurisdiction or areas of responsibility,” Belmonte said.
Sotto echoed the call, stressing that cooperation among mayors will make the process more efficient: “We would be able to move faster. We would be able to collect more evidence. Tutulang kapwa mayors sa fact finding, sa case buildup.”
Justice Reyes welcomed the move, saying the collaboration with different institutions will “help us towards discovering the truth.”
The ICI, created to investigate the alleged corruption hounding flood control projects, is now banking on its partnerships to speed up fact-finding and case buildup.