Malacañang has expressed support for the immediate reinforcement and empowerment of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which has been tasked to probe alleged anomalies and irregularities in several flood control projects across the country.
In a press briefing held by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Wednesday, October 8, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro shared the administration’s position on the issue.
“Unang-una po, dapat po siguro makita muna ‘yong pinakadetalye, para po mapag-aralan ito, at kung kinakailangan mag-isyu po ng Certificate for Urgency, ‘yan po ay gagawin ng Pangulo kung matapos po niyang mabasa kung ano po ang gagawing bill,” said Usec. Castro.
When asked about President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s reaction to reports that an ICI member had supposedly considered resigning due to the panel’s limited authority, Castro firmly emphasized that the commission operates independently.
“Unang-una po, ang ICI po ay independent commission; at sa ating pagkakarinig, ito po ay na-deny na po at itinatwa na po ng spokesperson ng ICI. So, mananatili po silang miyembro at mananatili po silang magtrabaho para po sa mas malalimang pag-iimbestiga sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects at mga infrastructure,” she clarified.
Earlier, Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Representative Atty. Leila de Lima urged the swift passage of House Bill 4453, which seeks to grant the ICI stronger powers to effectively carry out its investigations on questionable flood control projects.
“Sa lawak ng sabwatan sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects, dapat tapatan ito ng mas malakas at may ngipin na independent commission para panagutin ang mga buwaya sa gobyerno at pahirap sa mga Pilipino,” de Lima said.