The refusal of the Discaya couple to cooperate with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) does not mean the fact-finding body is ‘toothless,’ given that the right to self-incrimination can be invoked even in other investigations.
ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka made the remark in response to a statement by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan chair Teddy Casiño, who said on Thursday that the decision of Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya ‘exposed the toothlessness’ of the commission.
Casiño had argued that the fact-finding body had ‘no power or authority’ to compel those who may be involved in anomalous government projects to ‘testify and tell and truth,’ after the Dicayas said they will no longer appear before the ICI.
However, Hosaka told reporters on Thursday that the Discaya couple had invoked their right to self-incrimination, which can be used even during other investigations, not just with the ICI.
‘Fortunately or unfortunately, that’s their right. In fact, even in the Senate and the Congress, if a person invokes that right against self-incrimination, they have to respect it,’ he said.
‘Anyway, I don’t think that will label the ICI as toothless, because that right is also invoked in other investigative [processes],’ he addedHosaka assured the public that the ICI will find other sources of information regarding anomalous government projects given the withdrawal of the Discayas.
He had also earlier said the commission will still use evidence, testimonies, and affidavits that were previously gathered from the contractor couple.
‘It doesn’t expose any weakness on the part of the Commission because as I said we were able to get information regardless, from which source it may be,’ Hosaka said.
‘They invoke their right for whatever reason based on the advice of their lawyers, but as I said earlier or yesterday, we will find means. We have other sources of information to get to the truth and to find out who is really responsible for these anomalous projects,’ he added