Upping ICI’s powers pushed before House

Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco on Thursday said he is pushing for the passage of a bill that would strengthen the authority of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) before Congress goes on its Christmas break.

Tiangco said his proposal would give the ICI additional powers, including the power of contempt, the authority to file departure orders, and the power to sequester and hold assets and properties.

Under the bill, the ICI may also file charges in coordination with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DoJ) if the evidence warrants.

When asked if the measure would overlap with the mandates of existing investigative agencies, Tiangco said the ICI would instead serve to support them and speed up the resolution of corruption cases, particularly those linked to flood control projects.

“This is meant to help accelerate the filing of cases against these individuals involved in flood-related anomalies. The ICI will help the Ombudsman and DoJ expedite the process because we have a responsibility to the Filipino people,” Tiangco said in Filipino.

The ICI was created in September to probe irregularities in infrastructure projects following revelations of widespread corruption in flood control programs.

One of its initial recommendations was to investigate Sunwest Construction, a firm linked to former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, who has left the country.

Co’s lawyer, Ruy Rondain, said on 5 November that his client fears returning to the Philippines due to threats to his life.

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

Tiangco, however, questioned Co’s reasons for staying overseas, saying the statements from his lawyer showed a pattern of evasion.

“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 life, but they did not show any threat assessment,” Tiangco said.

The proposed measure, if passed, would institutionalize the ICI’s investigative role, allowing it to work more independently and decisively in pursuing accountability for infrastructure-related corruption.