IPC may duplicate functions of Ombudsman, DOJ —Palace

The Independent People's Commission (IPC) that may be created may be redundant with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ), Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said Sunday.

This is because it will probe not just flood control projects but also other infrastructure projects, she said.

“Kung gagawa sila ng batas para mag-create ng Independent People's Commission, sana 'yung constitutionality nito ay hindi makuwestiyon dahil baka magkaroon ng redundancy,” Castro told Super Radyo dzBB in an interview.

(If they make a law forming an Independent People's Commission, I hope its constitutionality would not be questioned because it may cause redundancy.)

“Mayroon na talagang nakatalaga for that. 'Yung Ombudsman and DOJ, para sila ang mag-hearing, tumingin at mag-evaluate ng probable case. Sila ang magpa-file ng case sa Sandiganbayan o sa korte,” she added.

(The Ombudsman and DOJ are already mandated to conduct hearings and evaluate probable cause. They will be the ones to file a case with the Sandiganbayan or any court.)

Castro explained that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) was created to form a “fact-finding” commission, gather documents, and endorse it to the Ombudsman and DOJ.

“Bakit walang contempt power [ang ICI]? Kasi hindi ang dahilan nito ay mag-penalize, magpakulong o magparusa sa taong hindi a-attend [ng hearing],”  Castro said.

(Why doesn’t the ICI have contempt powers? Because its purpose is not to penalize, imprison, or punish anyone who refuses to attend [its hearing].)

On Saturday, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said two “big fish” are expected to face charges in the coming days in connection with alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

While Remulla did not identify the officials involved, he confirmed sending a letter to Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III requesting that a senator be prevented from leaving the country.

Prosecutor General Richard “Dong” Fadullon on the other hand on Friday said former senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and former lawmaker Zaldy Co were included as respondents in two complaints involving ghost flood control projects in Bulacan. Revilla however denied Saturday that he was involved in "ghost" or non-existent flood control projects in Bulacan.

Amid the resignation of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson as ICI commissioner, several senators had once again called for the passage of the measure creating the IPC.

Sotto said the IPC will give the body “more power” once it is institutionalized through a law and assured that the Senate will approve the IPC bill “as fast as [they] can.”

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan earlier said he hoped that the bill seeking to create the IPC would be passed before Christmas, since the ICI does not have immunity from suit and is asking to have the power to request search warrants and seizure orders.

No replacement yet

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has yet to announce who will replace Singson, Castro said. 

“Sa ngayon, wala pang naibibigay na impormasyon patungkol diyan,” Castro said. 

“Sa paningin ng Pangulo, mahirap talaga palitan ang isang katulad ni Sec. Babe Singson,” she added.

(For now, Marcos has yet to inform us who will replace Singson because, in the president's view, he is hard to replace.)

ICI chairperson Justice Andres Reyes Jr. said Singson resigned “for health reasons and security.” —KG, GMA Integrated News