Tito Sotto, Ping Lacson meet ICI amid flood control probe

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senate President Pro Tempore and blue ribbon chairman Panfilo Lacson have been invited by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Monday amid its investigation into the alleged irregularities in government flood control projects. 

“[They] want me to brief them on Senate procedures regarding budget amendments and insertions,” Sotto told members of the media. 

Sotto also confirmed that he met earlier Lacson and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla to have “consultations regarding [the] hearing tomorrow.”

Sotto and Lacson arrived at the ICI before 1 p.m.

For his part, Lacson said the ICI had asked for documents regarding his two privilege speeches where he alleged that a mere 40% is left from projects after kickbacks.

“Mr. President, there is an evident pattern of this nasty distribution of public funds among crooks,” he had said in August.  

Lacson said that the Senate would turn over evidence obtained by former DPWH Bulacan Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez over the weekend. 

“Basta may evidentiary value, kami in aid of legislation primarily, ano, basta may evidentiary value, definitely itu-turnover namin sa ICI. Ang role namin is to complement ‘yung ICI, kung ano yung kailangan nila sa pagpa-file nila ng case, magrekomenda sila, susuportahan naman sila in terms of pieces of evidence,” Lacson said. 

(So long as if it would have evidentiary value, definitely we will turn it over to the ICI. Our role is to complement the ICI. What they would be needing in filing cases, we will support them in terms of pieces of evidence.)

Lacson said Sunday’s protest actions were pressure points for Congress to go for the “original sin” and exact accountability. 

“Those are pressure points, kasi naghahanap eh. The original sin is Congress. Kung walang nag-insert, walang paglalaruan ‘yung mga district engineer,” Lacson said, adding that the Senate leadership is thinking of going as far as “restraining themselves” from inserting any amount into the budget.

“Huwag kaming mag-insert especially sa local infrastructure projects na nasa level ng DEO (district engineering office) kasi parang we’re supplying them with the resources eh to commit corruption,” Lacson said. 

Blue ribbon investigation

Based on the Senate’s website, the blue ribbon committee is scheduled to continue its motu proprio inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the anomalous flood control projects on Tuesday, September 23, at 9 a.m.

Through President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s Executive Order 94, the ICI has been tasked to investigate and evaluate evidence, intelligence reports, and information, against all government officials and employees, as well as any other individual, involved in anomalies, irregularities, and misuse of funds in the planning, financing, and implementation of government flood control and other infrastructure projects across the country.

The body shall prioritize the investigation of flood control and other infrastructure projects within the last 10 years from the effectivity of the order. 

Based on its findings, the body shall recommend civil and administrative cases or actions against those responsible to the appropriate disciplinary, prosecutorial, and administrative bodies, such as the Office of the President, Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice, and the Civil Service Commission. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News