The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Monday warned that any attempt to change the Senate leadership or divert focus from investigations into flood control project anomalies ‘would only heighten public suspicion of a cover-up’ after revelations in congressional hearings.
The CBCP made this statement amid circulating talks of a coup d’état attempt against Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III.
It was just last month when Sotto replaced Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero through a minority-led ouster.
CBCP then reiterated its call on the government to conduct transparent investigations into the flood control scandal.
Several congressional hearings have been held to investigate anomalies in flood control projects nationwide.
Witnesses had testified that some lawmakers and officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were receiving kickbacks, as well as congressional insertions in the national budget, among other irregularities.
‘We strongly oppose any attempt to pre-empt or derail the investigation through backroom details, leadership takeovers, or selective justice. A nation cannot heal when its moral arteries are clogged by corruption and self-interest,’ the CBCP said.
It also highlighted the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s function to ‘restore public trust,’ emphasizing that the probe body ‘must be empowered to investigate fully and freely, without political interference from any branch of government.’
With this, the CBCP urged Congress and Malacañang to let the ICI do its mandate ‘thoroughly, transparently, and without fear or favor.’
The bishops’ conference then said that the following must be included in the ICI’s mandate:
transparency in its proceedings, findings, and recommendations
access to all necessary documents and witnesses, including those protected by political privilege
public discourse of budget insertions and project allocations, especially those tied to unprogrammed or duplicate projects of the DPWH
protection for whistleblowers and technical personnel who come forward in good faith
ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka previously said that ICI hearings are not being livestreamed.
He will discuss the requests for livestreaming with the commission to find a ‘solution that will both balance the request for more transparency and the protection of individual rights.’
Hosaka also explained that the ‘ICI is avoiding trial by publicity, and will not allow it to be used for any political leverage or agency by any individual or group.’