The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will lead an investigation into the alleged anomalies in flood control projects and related infrastructure, Malacañang said.
Palace Press Secretary Claire Castro said that despite the appointment of former Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as Ombudsman, the ICI will not be abolished, as it will focus on the alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
“Ang Ombudsman kasi hindi lamang po tutok ito sa flood control projects. Marami pong kaso na dapat pagtuunan ng pansin ang Ombudsman. So, hindi po natin nakikitaan na ito ang dahilan upang gibain or wakasan ang trabaho ng ICI,” Castro said in a press briefing with reporters on Wednesday, October 8.
(The Ombudsman is not solely focused on flood control projects. The Ombudsman has many cases that need attention. Therefore, we don’t see this as a reason to dismantle or end the work of the ICI.)
Castro explained that relying solely on the Ombudsman may take a long time to finish a single case, and with the ICI’s help, the prosecution of individuals may be expedited.
“Kailangan po talaga na may isang independent commission na siyang tututok at magkukolekta, mag-iimbestiga ng mga dokumento para po kapag naibigay po ito at mairekomenda for filing, rirebyuhin na lamang po ito,” Castro said.
“At kung tapos na po ang pagri-review at nakitang mayroon dapat na sampahan ng kaso, mas mabilis magsasampa ng kaso ang DOJ at ng Ombudsman,” she added.
Up to ICI for their transparency. Castro also said that it is up to the ICI to determine how they will ensure transparency in the flood control probe.
“Tama po. Ang Pangulo po, sa lahat ng mga pagkakataon gusto may transparency. Sa lahat ng pag-iimbestiga dapat may transparency, walang tinatago,” Castro said.
(That is correct. The President, at all times, wants transparency. In all investigations, there must be transparency; nothing should be hidden.)
“Pero kung paano po ito gagawin ng ICI, kung papaano po ito maisasapubliko, kung papaano po sila magiging transparent at hanggang saan, nasa ICI na po iyan. But still, ang Pangulo po ay sinusulong din po ang transparency sa lahat ng pag-iimbestiga,” she added.
(However, how the ICI will do this, how they will make it public, how they will be transparent, and to what extent, that is up to the ICI. But still, the President is also pushing for transparency in all investigations.)
On Wednesday, October 8, the ICI asked the Department of Justice to issue immigration lookout bulletins on 31 government officials.
The request targets over two dozen current and former lawmakers and officials involved in the ongoing probe into anomalous public works projects.