Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco on Thursday said he is pushing for the passage of a bill that would strengthen the powers of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) before the House of Representatives goes on Christmas break.

According to the proposal, the ICI will be granted the power of contempt, the power to file a departure order, and the authority to sequester and hold bills and properties — measures intended to give the agency “teeth.”

The ICI would also be allowed to file charges in coordination with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ) if sufficient evidence is found.

When asked if this would overlap with existing investigative bodies, Tiangco said the ICI would instead assist these agencies in expediting cases, particularly those involving flood control anomalies.

“This will help accelerate the filing of cases on these individuals involved in flood-related issues. They will only help the Ombudsman and DOJ speed up the process because we have a responsibility to the Filipino people,” Tiangco said in Filipino.

The ICI was established in September to investigate infrastructure anomalies linked to flood control projects. One of its recommendations is to look into Sunwest Construction, a company tied to Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, a former House member currently abroad.

Zaldy Co’s lawyer, Atty. Ruy Rondain, said on 5 November that his client fears for his life if he returns to the Philippines.

“He’s deathly afraid of coming home because there’s a serious threat to his life,” Rondain said on Wednesday.

Tiangco, however, said that Rondain’s statement only underscores that Co has no intention of returning to the country.

“You will see the pattern. When he claimed medical treatment, he did not show a medical certificate. Now, they are saying there’s a threat to his life, but they did not present any threat assessment,” Tiangco said.