Ombudsman to take up ICI findings despite constitutional challenge, says ICI exec

The findings of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which have been referred to the Ombudsman, will not be for naught, even if the Supreme Court finds its creation unconstitutional, ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka said on Monday.

A petitioner has questioned before the Supreme Court the constitutionality of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Executive Order No. 94, which created the ICI to look into the alleged massive corruption that resulted in ghost and substandard infrastructure.

“Ang masasabi ko diyan, once it’s already with the OMB, they will now be taking cognizance of this, no. And constitutional body ang ating Ombudsman. At the same time, meron tayong Ombudsman act or law,” Hosaka said in a briefing.

(What I can say about that is once it’s already with the OMB, they will now be taking cognizance of this. And our Ombudsman is a constitutional body. At the same time, we have the Ombudsman Act or law.)

“In that matter, sila na ngayon ang mag pro-proceed with regard to any possible action with regard to our referrals. So hindi naman binabalewala ‘yung trabahong nagawa na ng ICI,” he added. 

(In that matter, they will now proceed about any possible action concerning our referrals. So the work already done by the ICI will not be rendered useless.)

John Barry Tayam asked the High Court to declare the validity and constitutionality of the ICI as well as to determine the lawful creation and scope of authority of the commission.

The ICI has recommended to the Ombudsman the filing of graft, malversation, and falsification charges against former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and some Department of Public Works and Highways officials over their alleged links to the P289.5 million road dike project along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

The ICI has also asked the Ombudsman to file plunder, bribery, and corruption complaints against Co, Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, Mitch Cajayon, and Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana, among others.

Hosaka said the ICI would amend one of the referrals.

He added that the public may expect another referral from the ICI “soon.” –NB, GMA Integrated News