Solons disagree over three-panel ‘InfraComm’ to probe flood control projects

The adoption of a resolution constituting the House Infra Committee to probe flood control projects drew mixed reactions from some lawmakers.

House Resolution 145, adopted Wednesday night, authorizes the Committees on Public Accounts, Public Works and Highways, and Good Government and Public Accountability to launch a joint inquiry in aid of legislation into flood control and other infrastructure projects.

ML Party-list Representative Leila de Lima objected to the creation of the tri-committee, to be called the House Infrastructure Committee or the House InfraComm.

"I take the position that it would not be prudent on the part of this House as it might entail possible conflict of interest. In short, the House itself investigating this issue, when there has been so many reports, when there has been so many speculations about the possible involvement of certain members of the House, this would not sit well to the public. It would impact significantly on the integrity and dignity of this institution," she said.

But House Committee on Public Accounts Chair Representative Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro Party-list defended the InfraComm.

"I think magiging patas naman po kasi nga [it will be fair because] this is an evidence-driven, this is a project-driven investigation," Ridon said in a press conference.

"Hindi naman po lahat ng mga proyekto [Not all the projects] involve legislators like congressmen and senators. And to be very clear, Congress and the Senate have absolute oversight over any and every government agency. Ibig sabihin, puwede po natin pag-usapan yung lahat ng mga ganitong usapin [this means we can discuss all of these issues]. So I'm saying we cannot be stopped sa pag-imbestiga ng mga [in investigating] anomalous flood control," he added.

Third party

Ridon added that the InfraComm will refer cases involving legislators to a third party.

"In the event that a legislator, a congressman or a senator is named in the course of the inquiry, they will be given the right to reply in that inquiry but we will immediately recuse from further investigating and endorse it first to the DEPDev. They have stated already that they will be undertaking independent investigation on all the projects. And if the President will create an independent probe, we will endorse it to them," he said.

House Committee on Public Order and Safety Chair and Manila 2nd district Representative Rolando Valeriano also believes the InfraComm can conduct a fair investigation.

"Nakaharap tayo sa taumbayan. Kung ito ay parang ang insinuation natin lulutuin natin yung imbestigasyon, nakakahiya po at babagsak ang credibility ng Kongreso. So I think tama rin po na ibuo na yung tricomm na yan," Valeriano said in a press conference.

(We face the public. If the insinuation is that we will influence the investigation, it would be shameful and destroy the credibility of Congress. So I think it is right that we form the tricomm.)

"Once and for all, ma-settle ito. Pangalanan. Name them. At kung kinakailangan, i-prosecute," Valeriano added. — BM, GMA Integrated News