IPC proposal may overlap Ombudsman, DOJ roles

The proposed Independent People’s Commission (IPC) could duplicate the functions of the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ), according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro.

Castro said in a radio interview on Sunday that she hopes any law creating the IPC would be constitutionally sound, noting that the commission may focus not only on flood control project investigations but also on other infrastructure projects.

“The Ombudsman and DOJ are already mandated to conduct hearings and evaluate probable cause. They will be the ones to file a case with the Sandiganbayan or any court,” Castro explained.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto said on Saturday that the IPC would continue investigations if the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICI) is dissolved. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the ICI may only operate for a month or two before turning over its findings to his office.

“That's the direction of it, because the ICI is not forever, and there is a law that created the Office of the Ombudsman, which we are now very active in,” Remulla said in Filipino on a radio interview.

The ICI was created under Executive Order No. 94 on 11 September 2025 to investigate alleged corruption, irregularities, and misuse of funds in government flood control and related projects over the last ten years. The commission does not have contempt powers, as its role is limited to fact-finding.

Several lawmakers have called for the passage of legislation establishing the IPC in the Senate, while a similar measure—the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICIAC)—is being proposed in the House of Representatives. Senate President Sotto said the IPC would have expanded powers once institutionalized by law, and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan earlier expressed hope it would be passed before Christmas.

In the House, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco cited the resignation of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson as ICI commissioner as a reason to advance House Bills 4453 and 5699 to strengthen the commission’s authority.

Castro said the President has not yet announced a replacement for Singson. ICI Chairperson Justice Andres Reyes Jr. said Singson resigned for health and security reasons.