Groups ticked off by delays ring ICI

Showing the impatience most Filipinos are feeling over the lack of a significant breakthrough in the flood control scandal — such as the arrest of a big fish — protesters stormed the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) office in Taguig City yesterday.

Condemning an alleged coverup in its investigation into flood control projects, militant groups and typhoon survivors led by the People’s Surge coalition tried to breach the gate of the facility.

The protesters said the fact-finding body and the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have failed to hold corrupt officials or contractors accountable despite 74 days since the investigation began and 43 days since the ICI was formed.

“Not one case has resulted in charges or arrests,” they cried.

“Almost 60 days left before Christmas, and still no one has been charged or jailed among those involved in corruption,” the groups said.

“The ICI has become a toothless, whitewashing agency — a political prop meant to appear busy while protecting those behind this massive corruption scandal,” they added.

The ICI was created by President Marcos under Executive Order 94 on 11 September in response to the irregularities discovered in flood-control and other infrastructure projects.

The ICI should not only hold contractors and engineers accountable, but also lawmakers and Palace officials who approved the projects and the budget, the protesters said.

The ICI earlier said it would not livestream its hearings to avoid a “trial by publicity” but announced that it would begin them in the coming days.

The body said it “hears and understands the public’s call for accountability and justice,” and expressed solidarity with the public against corruption.

Before referring cases to the Office of the Ombudsman, the ICI said it carefully verifies the information to ensure that the findings can withstand scrutiny in court.

The body has scheduled its next hearing on either 11 or 12 November.

ICI executive director Brian Hosaka said there will be no hearings next week due to the unavailability of one of the commission members.

Hosaka said the commission will use the break to draft rules and guidelines for its planned livestreaming of future proceedings.

ICI composition ideal

To avoid politicizing the body, politicians are not welcome in the ICI, Hosaka said.

Hosaka was responding to a request by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano to include members of the political opposition and religious groups in the ICI.