Marcos satisfied with ICI probe, but welcomes calls to strengthen body — Palace

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is satisfied with the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, but is still open to suggestions on how to strengthen its power and functions.

This was according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro when asked during Monday's briefing if Marcos is satisfied with the body's probe into the alleged flood control anomalies.

''Kung may igaganda pa, hindi naman po ito sasarhan ng Pangulo pero sa ngayon po, sa nakikita po natin, maganda po ang itinatakbo ng pagiimbestiga ng ICI,'' Castro said at a press briefing.

(If this could be better, the President will not block the suggestions but as of now, we see that the ICI's investigation is going okay.)

She explained that it would be better if the ICI would have more ''teeth'' in the ongoing investigation. Castro further mentioned that the officials who were being summoned by the body were cooperative and responsive to the body's requests.

''Mas maganda po talaga na magkaroon ng mas ngipin, pangil ang ICI. Pero sa ngayon po nakikita naman po natin na maganda ang itinatakbo ng ICI. Pag nagpatawag po sila, kahit mga senador, mga miyembro ng Kongreso, sila naman po ay tumutugon at nagbibigay ng pahayag,'' Castro said.

(It's would be better if the ICI will have more teeth. But right now, we see that the investigation is going okay. Once the body calls senators, members of Congress, they immediately respond to voice their statements.)

''So sa ngayon po, maganda po ang itinatakbo ng ICI at ginagalang po ng mga witnesses or mga pinapatawag or diumanong concerned parties, ginagalang nila ang ICI at tumutugon sila sa patawag,'' she added.

(So right now, the ICI's investigation is okay and the witnesses and other concerned parties respect the ICI and they respond to the body's call.)

‘Paper tiger’

The Palace official's remarks came after House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Edgar Erice criticized the ICI, calling it a “paper tiger” due to its lack of sufficient authority to investigate anomalous flood control projects.

Erice said the ICI, created through an executive order of the President, does not have enough legal power to carry out its mandate effectively. He warned that without proper legislation, the body may fail to hold officials accountable for overpriced or anomalous infrastructure projects.

The lawmaker also said the House of Representatives can convene a special session to tackle the bill that would strengthen the ICI.

The ICI was created to investigate the alleged anomalous infrastructure projects in the last ten years and ensure accountability in the use of public funds.

This was after Marcos, during his State of the Nation Address in July, slammed government officials and contractors who stole from public funds meant for flood control projects. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News