KAMANGGAGAWA Party-list Representative Elijah “Eli” San Fernando on Monday sponsored House Bill No. 4453, a measure aimed at strengthening the powers and organizational structure of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to enhance its capability to investigate and prosecute corruption in public infrastructure projects.
In his sponsorship speech before the House Committee on Government Reorganization, San Fernando laid bare the failures of the existing ICI and called for a comprehensive overhaul to restore public faith in government institutions.
“It has been 98 days since the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of our President when and where he said: ‘Mahiya naman kayo.’ Seventy-six (76) days since the first Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing … 62 days since first Infracom Hearing at 53 days since the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI),” San Fernando said.
He compared the lack of progress in the flood control probe with the swift action against petty crimes, underscoring the imbalance in the country’s justice system.
“‘Pag nagnakaw ka ng gatas, sardinas, lata ng corned beef, ng diaper, huli ka agad. Samantala yung mga nasangkot dito sa flood control scandal, wherein we are talking about hundreds of billions of pesos, wala pa ni isa hanggang ngayon ang napapanagot.”
San Fernando minced no words in describing the ICI as powerless in its current form.
“May mapapanagot at mapapakulong lang if the ICI is well equipped and provided with all the necessary legal arsenal. Sa kasalukuyan pong porma ng Independent Commission for Infrastructure e inutil po ang ICI.”
He pointed out that the ICI merely duplicates the role of the Ombudsman and, without reform, will remain redundant and ineffective. To address this, the solon urged his fellow lawmakers to strengthen the Commission by granting it investigative and prosecutorial powers, budgetary independence, and authority to coordinate with other anti-graft agencies to ensure real accountability.
He warned that public anger over government corruption is justified and rising fast:
“Galit na po ang mga manggagawa and their anger is righteous and justified. If we want to regain the trust of the Filipino people to our institutions, the passage of these bills are earnestly sought.”
Finally, San Fernando urged the House leadership and President Marcos Jr. to certify the bill as urgent, stressing that genuine anti-corruption efforts require action, not rhetoric.
Outside the hearing, San Fernando said House Bill No. 4453 is a litmus test for the administration’s sincerity in combating corruption.
“Transparency without power is just for show. The ICI needs teeth, independence, and accountability. Otherwise, it’s nothing more than an expensive smokescreen. Dito natin makikita kung totoo ba talaga ang Malacanang sa posisyon nito laban sa korapsyon,” he concluded.
About the Author
