Dutertes in House seek copies of ICI’s flood control probe results

Allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the House of Representatives have asked the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) for copies of its reports from its probe into the government's flood control projects.

Three Davao City congressmen—First District Representative Paolo Duterte, the former president's son; Second District Representative Omar Duterte, Paolo's son; and Third District Representative Isidro Ungab, who served as House appropriations panel chairperson during Duterte’s term—and PPP party-list Representative Harold Duterte, Paolo's cousin, made the call in House Bill 885.

“Section 8 of EO 94 provides [that the ICI shall provide monthly reports to OP (Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary. The ICI shall likewise cause the publication of its accomplishments and such other relevant reports,” the lawmakers said, referring to the Executive Order that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. issued when he created the ICI in September last year.

“The Commission has not published any of its accomplishments or other relevant reports as required in Executive Order 94. Now therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives request the Office of the President and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to furnish the House of representatives with copies of its reports,” the lawmakers added.

The ICI will only be operational until March 31 according to ICI chairperson Andres Reyes Jr.

In a statement dated Friday, March 13, Reyes said the ICI already fulfilled its mandate of investigating the alleged anomalous flood control projects. 

Reyes said that while the ICI only functioned as a collegial body for 90 days, it was able to submit nine referrals covering 65 individuals to the Ombudsman, as well as convened Technical Working Group including 20 agencies for Asset Recovery. 

The ICI has publicized its recommendations on its flood control probe and has since turned over its investigation documents, both physical and digital copies, to the Office of the Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla last week. — BM, GMA Integrated News