Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco reiterated his push to pass a bill that seeks to give the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) more “teeth” in investigating anomalies in flood control projects.

Under House Bill No. 5699, the ICI would be transformed into the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICIAIC). If enacted, the commission would have the authority to file cases, issue subpoenas, hold departure orders, and conduct broader investigations.

According to Tiangco, the proposed measure would make ICI investigations and the filing of appropriate cases faster and more effective.

“Ito (ICI) ay tutulong sa Ombudsman at DOJ na mapabilis natin ang proseso because meron tayong responsibilidad sa mamamayang Pilipino na makita kaagad na seryoso dito sa imbestigasyon, dahil ito yung pinakamalaking corruption scandal sa history ng ating bansa,” Tiangco said in a statement.

At present, the ICI serves as a fact-finding body that looks into irregularities in the use of public funds for public infrastructure. The commission was created by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through Executive Order No. 94, signed and released on 11 September.

While the ICI does not have prosecutorial power, it submits its findings to appropriate authorities such as the Office of the Ombudsman.

Public attention recently turned to Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo after his testimonies before the Senate. Bernardo’s statements prompted the ICI to reevaluate the cases it plans to file.

Former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin also called Bernardo unreliable, saying the evidence he presented consisted mostly of hearsay and gossip linking him to alleged budget insertions.

“I deny the imputation in this sworn statement of DPWH Undersecretary Bernardo submitted to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee about the delivery of agreed 15 percent commitment ‘supposedly for the Office of the Executive Secretary,’” Bersamin said in a statement.

On 17 November, ICI Executive Director Atty. Brian Hosaka disclosed that Bernardo had applied to become a state witness amid the ongoing probe into the flood control scandal. Hosaka said this was the reason for the fourth consecutive cancellation of the hearing involving Bernardo.