Swift passage of bill creating independent body for infra probe pushed

A PHILIPPINE senator on Thursday called for the swift passage of a bill that seeks to create an independent commission that would investigate all government infrastructure projects.

In a statement, Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan called on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to certify as urgent Senate Bill No. 1215, which seeks to create the Independent People’s Commission (IPC). This institutionalizes and strengthens the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), created under Executive Order No. 94.

“If the President certifies it as urgent, it will be even more feasible. We also need to pursue the national budget debates in the Senate,” he said in Filipino.

“When the Senate budget debate begins, there is nothing else to discuss. We need to make sure that we will — as best as we can — pass this measure. And we hope all senators will support this measure,” he added.

The proposed measure grants the IPC contempt, subpoena, and freeze order powers, which the current ICI does not have.

Investigations would also cover all infrastructure projects by the national and local government, including projects for education, agriculture, flood control, disaster resilience, among others.

The bill also mandates all investigations to be completed within 60 days, and a full report issued to the public after 30 days.

“We need to hurry up,” he added. “The people are saddened because they see that no one is being imprisoned.”

The Philippines faces a mounting corruption scandal allegedly involving lawmakers, government engineers and private contractors siphoning of billions from flood control projects. — Adrian H. Halili