The government should maintain momentum in investigating corruption in infrastructure projects, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Monday, urging Malacañang to support the creation of a new investigative body to replace the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

Lacson said the proposed Independent People’s Commission (IPC) would provide investigators with additional powers, including witness immunity and protection, which the ICI currently lacks. He said this would enable authorities to build more comprehensive cases against officials involved in anomalous public works spending.

Despite its limited mandate, Lacson noted, the ICI has produced information that complements ongoing efforts by the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“I still believe that the ICI is serving its purpose in producing useful information for the Ombudsman and DOJ to proceed with preliminary investigations and build cases against those responsible for plunder of public funds,” he said.

Lacson added that Congress has taken steps to support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s initiative to investigate alleged irregularities in flood-control and other infrastructure projects.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro previously said the creation of the IPC could duplicate functions already handled by the Ombudsman and DOJ.

Lacson said the IPC bill, which he filed as Senate Bill 1512, is intended to strengthen investigative capabilities by offering protections to whistleblowers. Without these safeguards, potential witnesses could face harassment or retaliatory lawsuits.

“The ICI needs more powers and wider authority, including for immunity of witnesses,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino during a DWAN radio interview. “That is why it can only refer cases to other agencies and not file them.”

He also cited concerns raised by ICI head Andres Reyes Jr. about witnesses facing counter-charges. While the ICI can issue subpoenas, it lacks contempt powers, leaving it unable to compel attendance. Lacson cited the example of Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, who refused to appear before the commission, claiming it had no jurisdiction over him.

Lacson urged both chambers of Congress to move quickly on the IPC bill and push it through the bicameral conference committee. He also called on Marcos Jr. to certify the measure as urgent.

“It will greatly help if the House and Senate can pass the bill all the way to the bicam, and if the President certifies the bill as urgent,” he said. “I believe the Senate President and House Speaker may need to write the President to certify the measure as urgent.”

If created, the IPC would serve as a successor to the ICI as the government continues probing alleged anomalies in public infrastructure spending.