Speaker Dy pushes for ICI, anti-dynasty bills to address corruption in gov’t

The House of Representatives will now shift its focus on pushing for reforms to end corruption in the government such as the creation of an independent body that will probe ghost infrastructure projects and the abolition of political dynasties, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said on Tuesday.

Dy gave the commitment to pursue concrete steps against corruption in a speech at the House’s resumption of its session.

“May isang hamon na patuloy na humahadlang sa pag-unlad, isang sugat na matagal nang nananatili sa lipunan—ang korapsyon. Ito ang kalawang ng gobyerno na unti-unting kumakain sa tiwala ng mamamayan. Ito ang tunay na salarin sa bawat proyektong hindi natatapos, sa bawat serbisyong napako, at sa mga pangakong ‘di natupad.” 

(There is one challenge that continuously hinders progress, a wound that has long persisted in society—corruption. This is the rust of the government that slowly eats away at the people's trust. This is the real culprit behind every unfinished project, every broken service, and every unfulfilled promise.) 

The Speaker said the chamber will push for the swift approval of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) bill before Congress adjourns for its Christmas break in December.

“Sa harap ng mga ulat ng katiwaliaan at ghost projects, hindi sapat ang galit, kailangan natin ng solusyon. Ang ICI Bill ay makakatulong upang mapanagot ang mga indibidwal na sangkot sa katiwalian sa flood control projects,” said Dy. 

(In the face of reports of corruption and ghost projects, anger is not enough, we need a solution. The ICI Bill will help in holding accountable the individuals involved in corruption in flood control projects.) 

“Malinaw ang ating mensahe: there will be zero delays in the passage of this measure because our people have zero tolerance for corruption. Kaya malinaw din po ang direktiba natin dito: we will pass this bill before we adjourn this December.”

(Our message is clear: there will be zero delays in the passage of this measure because our people have zero tolerance for corruption. Therefore, our directive here is also clear: we will pass this bill before we adjourn this December.) 

In a separate interview, House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Edgar Erice also called for the formation of a technical working group for the ICI bill.

“We hope na within the week, matapos ‘yung consolidated version para ito ay maaprubahan na ng komite at maisalang na sa plenaryo,” he said.

(We hope that within the week, the consolidated version will be completed so that it can be approved by the committee and brought to the plenary.)

There are several measures in the lower chamber that push for the creation of an independent body to probe infrastructure corruption.

These propose to give more powers to the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption than the current ICI, which is investigating anomalies in flood control projects.

Dy added that the House will also prioritize the filing of an Anti-Political Dynasty Bill. Dy himself comes from a political family.

“Hindi ko po itinatanggi, sapagkat naniniwala ako na ang paglilingkod ay hindi minamana, kundi ipinagkakatiwala ng taumbayan. Sa totoo lang po, marami po akong kapamilya na nasa puwesto, pero may ilan din naman pong natatalo sa eleksiyon. Sa huli, taumbayan pa rin ang nagpapasya kung sino ang gusto nilang mamuno sa kanilang mga lugar,” the Speaker said.

(I do not deny this, because I believe that service is not inherited, but is entrusted by the people. To be honest, I have many relatives who are in office, but some also lose in the election. In the end, it is still the people who decide who they want to lead in their areas.) 

“Ang layunin nito ay hindi upang hadlangan ang sinuman, kundi upang palawakin ang pagkakataon para sa mas maraming Pilipino na makapaglingkod at makibahagi sa pamahalaan,” he added. 

(Its goal is not to hinder anyone, but to broaden the opportunity for more Filipinos to serve and participate in government.)

In July, the Makabayan bloc refiled its measure seeking to define and ban political dynasties as House Bill 209.

Erice welcomed Dy’s remarks on pushing for a ban on political dynasties.

“Merong matitinong dynasties. Pero exceptions ‘yun. As a rule nakita ko, na obserbahan ko in my 50 years in politics and government service, karamihan ng mga dynasties ay nag aabuso at mga corrupt,” he said.

(There are good dynasties. But these are exceptions. As a rule, I observed in my 50 years of politics and government service that most dynasties are abusive and corrupt.)

He urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte to start with their families if they want reforms.

“Ang hamon ko kay Pangulong Marcos, kung gusto mo talaga ng reporma, dapat mag simula ka sa iyong sariling pamilya. If you can go against self-interest, aba, baka ayan ‘yung legacy niya,” Erice said.

(My challenge to President Marcos is, if you truly want reform, you should start with your own family. If you can go against self-interest, then perhaps that will be your legacy.)

“Ganoon din si VP Sara. Kung para sa bayan siya at hindi sa supremacy ng political family nila, ay dapat suportahan niya rin,” he added.

(The same goes for VP Sara. If she is truly for the nation and not for the supremacy of their political family, then she should also support it.) 

So far, there has been only one bill filed in the House of Representatives during the 20th Congress defining and banning political dynasties.

House Bill 909, filed by Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep Bernadette Barbers, prohibits, among others, relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity of an incumbent official seeking reelection to run in the same election in the same municipality, city, or province. 

It also seeks to ban relatives within the said civil degree of relationship and their spouses to vie for elective posts in the same province.

Dinagat Islands Rep Kaka Bag-ao is scheduled to file another bill against political dynasties on Wednesday, Nov 12.— JMA/MCG, GMA Integrated News