Kiko Pangilinan hopes passage of IPC law before Christmas

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Sunday said he hoped that the bill seeking to create the Independent People’s Commission (IPC) would be approved before Christmas amid calls of those involved in flood control projects to be held accountable.

“Sana bago mag Pasko [maaprubahan na ang panukalang magtatag ng IPC] dahil kailangan nating bilisan,” Pangilinan said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(I hope that the bill would be approved and the IPC would be established before Christmas, because we need to expedite our investigation.)

“Nakakalungkot ang kanilang (taumbayan) obserbasyon na wala namang nakukulong diyan. Hanggang hearing lang 'yan, pero 'yung malalaking tao exempted sa criminal liability o abswelto,” he added.

(It’s sad for the public to observe that no one is being held accountable. There are just hearings, while the big personalities are exempted from criminal liability or end up being acquitted.)

Under Executive Order 94, the Independent Commission on Infrastructure was created to investigate the alleged anomalous infrastructure projects and ensure accountability in the use of public funds.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto in August filed Senate Bill No. 1215, which seeks to create an Independent People’s Commission (IPC), an independent body tasked to investigate anomalies in all government infrastructure projects.

Pangilinan said once Senate Bill No. 1215 is approved, the IPC can absorb the ICI since the proposed measure aims to strengthen the latter's powers in investigating the anomalous flood control projects.

He pointed out the ICI does not have immunity from suit and is asking to have the power to request search warrants and seizure orders.

“Ang sinasabi nga ni Chief Justice Puno, 'yung power to freeze itong mga account... 'Yun ang ilan sa mga sinasabi nilang kakulangan,” Pangilinan said.

(Former Chief Justice Reynato Punos said the ICI does not have the power to freeze the bank accounts of those involved in the flood control anomalies.)

The lawmaker added that with the proposed measure, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ) can support the ICI by providing prosecutors, since the latter has only 13 lawyers, 10 of which are volunteers.

“The law will mandate the DOJ and Ombudsman to create a panel of prosecutors that will support the Independent People's Commission,” Pangilinan said.

The solon also clarified that the IPC likely has a maximum of three years of existence since there are prosecution bodies like the Office of the Ombudsman and the Justice Department.  

He explained that the commission was created to address the “unusual” and “extraordinary” revelation that transpired surrounding the alleged corruption linked to the anomalous flood control projects.

“Hindi naman intensiyon ng panukala na maging permanente itong IPC,” Pangilinan said. “It should not be a permanent body [kasi] nandiyan naman ang Ombudsman at DOJ.”

(The intention of the proposal is not to make the IPC a permanent body. It should not be permanent because we already have the Ombudsman and the DOJ.)

“Most likely, a maximum of three years hanggang 2028 [ang posibleng itagal ng IPC],” he added.

(Most likely, the IPC will last for a maximum of three years until 2028.)

However, Pangilinan said the three years should not be taken as a free pass for the commission to file cases over such a long time.

“Three years to file cases is too long. Kahit bigyan natin sila ng buhay na tatlong taon, hindi ibig sabihin ganun katagal bago sila magsampa ng kaso. That is not the intention of the law,” he said.

(Three years to file cases is too long. Even if we gave them that period, it doesn’t mean it should take that long to file a case. That’s not the intention of the law.)

Pangilinan also expressed support for the peaceful protests held nationwide that call for accountability over the alleged corruption linked to the anomalous flood control projects.

“Hindi natin masisisi ang mga tao na habang iniimbestigahan ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. Mayroon talagang mga nagko-comment na puro imbestigasyon pero wala namang ikinukulong, 'yung maliliit lang,” the senator said.

(We cannot blame the people while the investigation in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is ongoing. Someone will say that there are so many investigations, but no one goes to jail.)

“That should be an eye-opener for the Sandiganbayan, the judiciary, and the Supreme Court,” he added.

Pangilinan also reiterated that no member from the Senate majority bloc wanted Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson to step down as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

He added that he sees no threat in the leadership of Sotto as Senate President.

“Nakikitang kong stable at nakikita ko ang full support ng majority kay SP Sotto.”

(I see the stability and full support of the majority for Senate President Sotto.) —RF, GMA Integrated News