ICI chair on Marcos’ push for creation of IPC: ‘Good news’

Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for Congress to prioritize the passage of the bill proposing the creation of an Independent People’s Commission (IPC).

“That’s good news,” Reyes said in Joseph Morong’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday. “For the improvement of the former commission, with more powers,” he added.

In bills filed in the Senate and in the House of Representatives, lawmakers proposed that the IPC be authorized to issue contempt sanctions or penalties against individuals who do not comply with legal orders.

The proposed IPC will also have the authority to file complaints against officials or any government personnel who will try to block the investigations on corruption in government projects.

Upon a court’s orders, the body may also sequester or recover the assets of those involved in anomalous flood control projects as well as those of their relatives.

It may also issue asset freeze orders, which is currently an authority exercised by the Court of Appeals (CA). 

Meanwhile, the Senate is prepared should the bill proposing the IPC’s creation be questioned for duplicating the mandate and functions of the Ombudsman or the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“So ito ang pagkakaiba nito, matututukan talaga itong problema ng infrastructure at pag-iimbestiga nito, ‘yun ang kaibahan,” said Senator Francis Pangilinan, author of the proposed IPC Act.

(The difference is this will truly be able to focus on the problem of infrastructure and the investigation on these problems – that’s the difference.) 

On the other hand, Malacañang said it remains confident in the ICI’s performance even if the President is pushing for the creation of the IPC.

“Yes, still. Wala pa naman po yung batas eh at tiwala po ang Pangulo sa mga ginagawa po ng ICI,” said Palace Press Officer Claire Castro. 

(Yes, still. The law is not yet in place, and the President trusts in what the ICI is doing.)

When asked about the surrender of contractor Sarah Discaya and the cancellation of the passport of former House appropriations committee chairperson and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, Reyes said: “We are being blessed by God.” — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA Integrated News