Senators renew push for Independent People’s Commission bill after Singson exit

Various lawmakers in the Senate on Thursday said it is time to pass the proposed Independent People’s Commission measure following the sudden resignation of Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Commissioner Rogelio “Babes” Singson on Wednesday.

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, chair of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, said in an interview that Senate Bill 1512 will address the issues that led to the resignations of Singson and Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong from the ICI.

“With his recent resignation, Commissioner Babes admitted that the ICI lacks powers, and even their printer was asked to be donated. Obviously, they need more teeth and broader powers to be able to fulfill their mandate. They are facing huge controversies; it’s not a joke. They indeed need full support, and I think the bill will give them the backing to be able to do their jobs right,” Pangilinan said in mixed English and Filipino.

Last month, Senate lawmakers sponsored Senate Bill 1512 for the creation of an Independent People’s Commission that will probe corruption in infrastructure projects, a substitute measure for SB 1215 filed by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

Once it becomes law, Pangilinan said the Independent People’s Commission will replace the ICI created by the Executive Department, arming it with the power to subpoena, freeze assets, cite individuals and entities in contempt, cancel professional licenses, grant witness immunity and protection, and issue lookout orders, among others.

“Once becomes a law, it will also deputize the NBI, PNP, and other law enforcement agencies, will work with the ICI. Maiiwasan na natin ang mga executive session na hindi matanggihan ng ICI dahil wala silang matibay na kapangyarihan para sabihing hindi pwede. Wala kasi sila talagang kapangyarihan so kailangang dagdagan ang kanilang kapangyarihan,” Pangilinan stressed.

He added that once the ICI has absolute powers, even sacred cows will face cases.

“If you give them the powers, the chances of having sacred cows will be diminished largely. Ngayon kasi appointed lang sila and hindi nga nila ma-cite in contempt yung mga hindi kumikilala sa kanila eh,” he said.

As for the timeline on the bill’s passage, Pangilinan said they are counting on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify it as urgent, which would give the measure a strong chance of being passed before the year ends.

“As far as I’m concerned, ICI is not finished yet. I don’t think so. Let’s not lose hope,” he said, addressing concerns from netizens who believe the flood control investigation is over following Singson’s resignation.

For his part, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, said Singson’s sudden resignation is a significant loss for the ICI.

“He is known as a man of integrity and technical expertise in government projects. The ICI should immediately find a replacement of the same caliber to avoid losing momentum in the fight against corruption,” he said.

Senate President Sotto III said he was not surprised by Singson’s departure given the stress and limited powers attached to the position.

“It’s indeed stressful, and with the limited powers, hindi nakakapagtaka. Pinakamaganda ay ipasa na ang Independent People’s Commission bill para mas powerful. We hope maipasa naming pagkatapos namin sa period of interpellation and second reading (ng budget),” he said.

Singson, also on Thursday, told the media that his health condition had worsened because of stress.

“Because of the stress, my 77-year-old body cannot take it anymore. I've been in and out of the hospital. I now take maintenance medication for the heart, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high creatinine. Name it, everything is a red flag in my body,” he said.

He stated that it is time for him to quit as he had already fulfilled his mandate to help government agencies understand the technical processes behind the Department of Public Works and Highways’ project cycle to untangle corruption.

Further, Singson said his primary responsibility within the ICI was to walk agencies through the technical steps of project identification, budgeting, approval, and implementation for both locally funded and ODA-supported infrastructure programs.

“My role was to provide the technical aspects of the DPWH process — from project identification, implementation, approval, and the budget process for both local and ODA projects,” he said.