Babes Singson laments lack of budget, laws to give ICI more teeth

Rogelio "Babes" Singson, who has tendered his resignation from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), on Thursday lamented the investigating body's lack of budget and enabling laws that would empower it in the fight against corruption in government.

Speaking at a press conference, Singson bemoaned that the ICI has been operating with inadequate funds following its establishment in September by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

"Unfortunately, ICI was created, I would imagine, as an urgent matter, kulang sa budget, walang budget, nasa diyaryo 'yung budget, wala sa amin. Ganoon 'yung sitwasyon," Singson said.

(Unfortunately, ICI was created, I would imagine, as an urgent matter, with insufficient budget. No budget. The budget is mentioned in the newspapers, but it is not with us. That has been the situation.) 

Singson also called on lawmakers to pass bills strengthening the powers of the investigating body as he lamented the legal limitations faced by the commission at its current form.

"What we wanted to convey is that ICI, as it is today, does not have enough powers to be able to execute as quickly as we can what we need to do," said Singson, whose departure from the ICI would be effective December 15.

"That's why I am appealing to members of Congress, both the House and the Senate, ipasa niyo na 'yung (pass the legislation on) IPC or Independent People's Commission at the Senate level and the ICAIC [Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption] which is the lower House version," Singson said in a press conference.

Early this month, 16 senators formally signified support for the creation of IPC.

The Senate's measure aims to establish the IPC, an independent body responsible for investigating anomalies, documenting, and recommending measures to address corruption, mismanagement, and negligence in the planning, procurement, and implementation of public infrastructure projects. 

The IPC shall specialize in the technical, engineering, and financial audit of such projects—including, but not limited to, procurement processes, contract variations, right-of-way acquisitions, and project implementation—and shall serve as the primary repository of government infrastructure data. 

The commission shall be granted the power to issue subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, records, and other evidence. It may also grant immunity to any person who voluntarily provides information vital to the probe.

It may also order the immediate preventive suspension, subject to constitutional limitation, of government officials under investigation. 

Likewise, it may issue temporary closure or revocation orders of permits, business licenses, or registrations of establishments, contractors, or entities found to be responsible for the implementation of anomalous infrastructure projects.

More powers proposed

Meanwhile, the House Bills 4453 and 5699 propose the creation of ICAIC giving more powers to the ICI with a term of two years, which can be extended through an amendment of the law.

While both House bills give the ICAIC the power to conduct investigations, cite individuals in contempt, and file administrative cases, among others.

House Bill 5699, in particular, proposes that ICAIC to have 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 as well as issue hold departure orders.

"They committed that they will pass it before the end of the year. Hopefully by the end of the year you will have a much stronger Independent Commission with proper powers and authorities that ICI does not have," Singson said.

The outgoing ICI commissioner, who is also a former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary, said the legal process in the Philippines have several layers, "from prosecution, building up cases, to filing before the Ombudsman, then Ombudsman filing to Sandiganbayan."

"I kept mentioning, including in meetings with legislators, two gold standards for anti-corruption. I will keep repeating this, the ICAC [Independent Commission Against Corruption] of Hong Kong and CPIB [Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau] of Singapore. What is the major change in those two gold standards? All in one… There's only one agency from foreclosure to lockdown until the conduct of arrests," Singson said.

ICI's lifespan

The Palace-created Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) may be abolished once the IPC is institutionalized through law, according to former Senate president Franklin Drilon.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order 94 in September, which created the ICI as a non-partisan fact-finding body that would investigate irregularities in flood control projects and infrastructure projects in the last 10 years.

Singson said that "because precisely of the long legal process we had to resort to administrative measures."

"That's why we have been meeting with some 20 government agencies that have some administrative remedies for example… Philippine Competition Commission, they can penalize bidders that are involved in rigging of bids," he said.

The ICI, he said, also facilitated the forfeiture of assets of those involved in the flood control corruption mess as well assisting the Bureau of Internal Revenue in looking into under declarations in the income tax returns of corporations involved in the scheme.

"Administrative measures become very, very important," Singson said.

He also reiterated that his reason for departing from the ICI was due to health reasons and security.

"It's not that I don't want to serve… I hope the people will understand the reason for my resignation… I have to all answer to the needs of my family, family concerns, and calls of my personal life," he said.

'Job is done'

Aside from health reasons, Singson said he tendered his resignation because he believes that he has already fulfilled his purpose.

Singson issued the remark when asked if his resignation had anything to do with the "output" of the commission.

“Tapos na ‘yung trabaho ko (my job is done),” he said.

According to Singson, his role was to explain and provide recommendations on the technical aspects of the department and the budget processes.

“I think I have done the technical process, I’ve explained it to everyone. People understand now a lot better what happened, sino ‘yung nagka kontya-kontyaba diyan for this to happen (who are the cohorts for this to happen),” he said.

“And, hopefully, because we know the process, we know how to flag, ano ‘yung mga kailangang remedies, whether batas ‘yan, administrative order ‘yan, executive order, etc. to be able to avoid a repeat of this anomaly ever happening again,” he added.

(And, hopefully, because we know the process, we know how to flag, identify the remedies whether they are laws, administrative orders, etc. to be able to avoid a repeat of this anomaly ever happening again.)

He added that when he accepted the job, he said that he would only be at the ICI for only three months.

Stress, family

Singson said he has been “in and out of the hospital” since his appointment to the investigative body.

“Because of the stress, my 77-year-old body cannot take it anymore. That’s the other half of the situation. I’ve been in and out of the hospital. I just came from a medical workout,” he said.

“This is the first time in my life that I’ve been asked to take maintenance medication for heart, high BP (blood pressure), for high cholesterol… name it. Everything is red flag in my body,” he added.

He also cited the stress that the job is causing his family.

Singson also expressed hope that the public would understand his resignation.

“I feel that I’ve done what I have to do for ICI. But I have to also answer to the needs of my family, family concerns, and my own personal life. I want to get back my privacy. HIndi na ko makagalaw nang hindi ako nare-recognize sa labas (I cannot move anymore without being recognized in public),” he said.

He also said that he committed to making himself available if there is ever a need for his technical services. — VDV/ VAL, GMA Integrated News