NAVOTAS Representative Toby Tiangco is pushing for a bill to strengthen the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), giving it more power to probe corruption in government infrastructure projects.
Tiangco filed House Bill No. 5699, which seeks to create the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC) that will hear and investigate all anomalies and controversies involving infrastructure projects.
“The people demand a mechanism to ensure accountability and transparency in government infrastructure projects, which have been a constant source of corruption,” Tiangco said.
“Naiinip na ang taumbayan. Kailangan na nating bilisan ang aksyon at bigyan ng kapangyarihan ang ICAIC upang mapanagot ang mga may kagagawan ng mga anomalya, hindi lamang para sila ay makulong dahil sa pang-aapi sa ating mga kababayan, kundi para mabawi rin ang kanilang ninakaw,” he added.
“When the demand for accountability resonates louder in all walks of life, the government should not simply turn a blind eye. The government must proactively address the public’s demand and ensure that the highest form of accountability and culpability will be imposed,” he further said.
Under the proposed bill, the ICAIC with the concurrence of the appropriate bodies, will have the power to file cases, issue subpoenas, and seek preventive suspensions and hold departure orders against officials suspected of corruption.
“Sa mga nagdaang hearing, nakita naman natin ang limitasyon ng ICI sa powers nilang mag-imbestiga. Wala silang power to issue contempt kapag hindi nag-appear ang mga naisyuhan nila ng subpoena. Binigyan din natin sila ng power to issue hold departure orders, at mag-apply sa korte para makarekober, at mag-sequester ng properties,” Tiangco said.
“The proposed commission shall serve as a means to strengthen the current ICI’s capacity to effectively and efficiently prosecute cases,” he added.
Tiangco also clarified that the proposed ICAIC will not in any way take over the functions or duties of the Office of the Ombudsman or the Department of Justice.
“The commission’s findings and recommendations are intended to assist the Office of the Ombudsman or the Department of Justice, as the case may be, in case build-up and prosecution. This is to ensure that cases filed in court will be successfully prosecuted and that convictions will be obtained. When the public sees that public officials are held accountable, the government can regain the people’s trust and confidence,” he said.
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