ICI chair defends body’s independence, vows justice amid flood control mess

Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Chairman Justice Andres Reyes, Jr. has defended the seeming absence of higher-ranking government officials in its recommendations for charges in connection with anomalous flood control projects, saying the cases should be based on evidence, not mere speculation.

Tasked by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to investigate and recommend charges against those involved in the anomaly, the ICI is on its 100th day since Marcos warned lawmakers against dipping their fingers into public coffers in his State of the Nation Address on July 28. 

“Mahiya naman kayo!” Marcos had said.

(Have some shame!)

In an exclusive interview with GMA Integrated News, Reyes said their recommendations should be evidence-based. 

“Hindi pwedeng speculation or tsismis,” he said.

(It cannot be based on speculation or gossip.)

As of Tuesday, the ICI has made three recommendations for the possible filing of plunder, graft, and malversation charges against several individuals.

These include Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, as well as officials and other employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways districts in Bulacan, MIMAROPA, Davao Occidental and La Union over alleged anomalies in flood control projects. 

The ICI explained that more proof is needed to establish the culpability of ex-House Appropriations Committee chairman and former Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co. 

Administrative charges were recommended to be lodged against former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan and ex-DPWH Undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and Catalina Cabral. 

“We already have filed cases against Zaldy Co, our first case was against Sunwest, that solves the problem. As to the other persons, I said, we will get there. We will resolve the problem,” he said. 

But these recommendations will still undergo further fact-finding or preliminary investigation by the Ombudsman, which received the recommendations.

In its second recommendation submitted last week, the ICI noted that “the scheme starts from the proponent, who is either a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives.” 

“Ang laki ng nawalang pera eh. Parang ‘yung project nagiging negotiating instrument, parang cheke na pinapasa-pasa,” he said. 

(So much money was lost. It’s like the project was used as a negotiating instrument, a check that passed through many hands.)

Aside from case build-up, the ICI also formed a technical working group for assets recovery through the filing of forfeiture cases on the assets of those tagged in the flood control anomalies.

The task force includes the Anti-Money Laundering Council o AMLC, which has frozen P6.3 billion of bank accounts and real properties so far; the Office of the Solicitor General; DPWH; Bureau of Customs and other government agencies. 

Earlier, the BOC said it will auction seven luxury vehicles owned by contractors Pacifico and Sarah Discaya, which could raise some P200 million for the government.

Reyes recognized that the public is clamoring for justice over the irregularities in flood control projects, but appealed for the public’s patience and understanding.

He assured that the ICI will remain non-partisan and independent as it carries out its mandate of finding out the truth behind questionable flood mitigation projects.

“Just give us time. We are going to be independent, not only me but my two other colleagues. We will do our best na ‘yung mga maling tao, ‘yung mga may sala ay dapat madala sa hustisya at sana ‘yung kanilang ninakaw na pera ay pwede pang mahabol. We are also victims like you,” Reyes said.

(Just give us time. We are going to be independent, not only me but my two other colleagues. We will do our best that the people in the wrong, those who committed wrongs will be brought to justice. And hopefully, the money they stole will be returned. We are also victims like you.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News