Speaker Dy: Flood control probe best left to ICI

Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said Monday that the probe on anomalous government projects is best done by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) established by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

“Mas makakabuti na ipasa na sa ICI,” Dy told reporters in his first press conference as the House’s top leader.

(It would be better if the probe will be passed on to the ICI.)

“Kailangan i-submit na namin sa ICI [iyong aming findings] kasi hindi naman pinaniniwalaan ng ating mga kababayan iyong mga nangyayari sa InfraComm,” Dy added.

(We have to submit our findings to ICI because the majority of the public do not find the InfraComm investigation credible.)

The three-panel House Infrastructure Committee was established under the leadership of former Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez to probe the government’s alleged anomalous flood control projects.

The House Infrastructure Committee held two hearings. But since then, Romualdez resigned from his post so that the ICI “may pursue its mandate freely and fully, without doubt, without interference, without undue influence.”

Romualdez, who has been linked to the flood control controversy, is the cousin of President Marcos, Jr. 

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee, on the other hand, is still pursuing the flood control probe despite the establishment of the ICI. 

Dy, for his part, did not answer the question if the House InfraComm will now stop conducting its probe for good.

Congress has the authority to conduct investigations in aid of legislation as well as recommend the filing of both criminal and administrative charges. 

Needs-based flood control funding

In the same interview, Dy said the House will ensure that the proposed P625.7-billion budget for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will only fund meritorious flood control projects. 

"A lot of flood control projects were removed [by the DPWH], but if these are needed according to Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) which determines the areas in need of flood control projects) and these are in accordance to DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon recommendations, then the districts or provinces which need these projects should get the budget they need," Dy said, referring to the P255 billion worth of locally funded flood-control projects defunded by DPWH.

"We will ensure that this budget will only fund appropriate projects because every cent involves public funds," Dy added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News