Bills to create independent comm vs. infra corruption discussed

The House Committee on Government Reorganization has started discussions on two proposed bills creating an Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC).

The measures propose to give more powers to the ICAIC than the current Independent Commission on Infrastructure, which is investigating government flood control projects.

House Bill 4453 is authored by Representatives Leila de Lima of Mamamayang Liberal Party-list; Adrian Michael Amatong of Zamboanga del Norte 3rd district; Arlene "Kaka" Bag-ao of Dinagat Islands, Perci Cendaña, Dadah Kiram Ismula and Chel Diokno of Akbayan Party-list; Edgar Erice of Caloocan 2nd district; Jaime Fresnedi of Muntinlupa City; Krisel Lagman of Albay 1st district; Paolo Henry Marcoleta of Sagip Party-list; Eli San Fernando of Kamanggagawa Party-list; and Alfonso Umali, Jr of Oriental Mindoro 2nd district. 

House Bill 5699 is authored by Representative Toby Tiangco of Navotas City.

Both measures propose that the ICAIC be given a term of two years which can be extended through an amendment of the law.

While both bills give the ICAIC the power to conduct investigations, cite individuals in contempt, and file administrative cases, among others, Tiangco's proposed measure gives the ICAIC the power to file criminal and/or civil cases, sequester monies, shares of stocks, bonds, titles, and properties accumulated by those involved in flood control and other infrastructure anomalies, including those already transferred to relatives and friends in the country and abroad.

Tiangco's bill also gives the ICAIC the power to issue hold departure orders.

"Siguro walang sinong congressman na kokontra rito. Kasi para sa ikabubuti ng ating bayan, para matapos na po itong mga corruption na ito," Government Reorganization chair Salvador Pleyto of Bulacan 6th district told reporters in an interview after the technical briefing on the measures.

(Surely no representative will object to this. Because it will be for the good of the country, to end this corruption.)

"Ito po ay para ma-strengthen natin, mapalakas natin ang ngipin ng ICI. Alam naman natin wala silang mga contempt powers o kaya yung subpoena powers. Bibigyan din natin sila ng mga karapatan na iho-hold departure order. Wala. Tsaka yung direct sana. Kung mapasa natin ang bill na ito, direkta na silang mag-file ng kaso direkta sa Sandiganbayan," he added.

(This is to strengthen the ICI's teeth. We know that they have no contempt powers or subpoena powers. We will give them also the right to issue hold departure orders. Ifwe pass these bills, they can directly file cases before the Sandiganbayan.)

Present via Zoom was ICI spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka.

When Erice and San Fernando expressed their frustrations over the seemingly slow procedures at the ICI, Pleyto said that Hosaka vowed that, "the next few weeks, bibilis na ito [it will speed up]."

The committee is scheduled to hold its first hearing on the bills on Nov 11, 2025.

Pleyto said he received instructions from House Speaker Faustino Dy III to approve the measures on third and final reading within the month. — BM, GMA Integrated News