The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Friday said it would go after the people behind ‘malicious’ claims online that the fact-finding body has tapped an anti-crime nongovernment organization in its probe into the massive corruption in government contracts for public works.
In a statement on Friday, the ICI said that the reports claiming that it has sought the help of Task Force Kasanag International, supposedly led by a certain John Chong, that have been making rounds on social media are misleading, ‘entirely untrue’ and are meant to ‘undermine’ the commission.
‘The ICI has not authorized, deputized, or engaged Task Force Kasanag International, or any group led by Mr. John Chiong, in any capacity related to its investigations,’ it said, stressing the ‘impartiality and professionalism’ the ICI observes in its work.
The investigating body, led by former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes, Jr., said it would ask the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to find out the people responsible for the disinformation so that it could recommend the filing of appropriate criminal charges against them.
The ICI has been conducting closed-door hearings with key personalities to explain what went down in the budget process in previous years that could point to how massive funding for infrastructure, especially flood control, went to the pockets of colluding lawmakers, contractors and government officials.
On Thursday, the ICI formally called in Sen. Mark Villar to appear in the next ICI hearing on Oct. 7. ICI executive director Brian Hosaka has also said that former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualde and resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Elizady Co, whose names have been dragged into the anomaly, would also be summoned to the hearings.