ICI looking at steps to speed up flood control corruption cases

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is looking at other measures to fast-track the investigation and decision in the cases of flood control corruption, its commissioner Rogelio Singson said Friday.

Singson acknowledged the public clamor for authorities to already imprison the personalities accused in anomalous flood control projects.

“I know that our people, the taxpayers, are very agitated kasi gusto nila may makulong kaagad. Unfortunately, hindi role ng ICI 'yun. Ours is investigative. It goes to [Ombudsman]. [Ombudsman to [Sandiganbayan]. So medyo mahaba ang proseso,” Singson said during a press conference after an inspection at New Quezon City Jail.

(I know that our people, the taxpayers, are very agitated because they want someone to be imprisoned immediately. Unfortunately, that is not the role of the ICI. Ours is investigative. It goes to Ombudsman. Ombudsman to Sandiganbayan. So the process is quite long.)

“So what we're trying to do is look at other administrative measures na medyo mabilis-bilis na paglilitis at mas mabilis na ma-identify kaagad kung sino 'yung dapat managot,” he added.

(So what we're trying to do is look at other administrative measures that will speed up the proceedings and identify more quickly who should be held accountable.)

According to Singson, one of the suggestions was to create a special division in Sandiganbayan that will have to decide cases within a deadline.

“There were good suggestions in the hearing yesterday. One suggestion was kung pwede mag-create ng special division doon sa Sandigan para meron limited...Halimbawa, nag-file ang OMB, within a certain period of time, number of days dapat meron desisyon, yes or no,” he said.

(One suggestion was if we could create a special division in Sandiganbayan so that there would be a limited...For example, the OMB filed, within a certain period of time or number of days there should be a decision, yes or no.)

ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr. was asked during the press conference if an arrest warrant against the accused is expected by December after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said that the latter’s office is targeting to file cases against some officials before the Sandiganbayan within 30 days.

“That depends on the Sandiganbayan. I cannot speak for them,” he said.

When asked about what usually happened in similar cases, Reyes said, “That's the historical point of view.”

Meanwhile, the ICI officials said that the New Quezon City Jail is an “almost perfect” and “decent” detention facility for the accused in the flood control corruption cases.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that there is no need for hospital arrest for the accused as the jail has enough medical facilities.

“Nakahanda na po yung 'PGH'—'Payatas General Hospital.' Meron po kaming infirmary dito. Lalagyan namin lahat ng resuscitation machine. Kung dialysis ang kailangan, maglalagay kami ng dialysis machine.  Kung kailangan rin ng heart monitoring equipment, maglalagay rin kami,” Remulla said.

(The 'PGH'—'Payatas General Hospital'—is ready. We have an infirmary here. We will put resuscitation machines here. If dialysis is needed, we will put a dialysis machine here. If heart monitoring equipment is needed, we will put it here as well.)

“So wala nang excuse para sabihin nilang kailangan sa St. Luke's sila. Lahat ng kailangan sa St. Luke's ay nandidito na rin,” he added.

(So there is no excuse for them to say they need to go to St. Luke's Medical Center. Everything that is needed at St. Luke's is already here.)

Remulla earlier said that New Quezon City Jail is ready to detain individuals involved in flood control corruption with Salary Grade 27 and up.

Pasay City Jail is also prepared to house involved personalities with Salary Grade 26 and below, he added. —AOL, GMA Integrated News