Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan is urging President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent Senate Bill No. 1215, which will create an Independent People’s Commission (IPC) to investigate anomalies in all government infrastructure projects amid the multi-billion-peso flood control corruption scandal.
SB No. 1215 is authored by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senators Erwin Tulfo and Risa Hontiveros.
“Hinihiling natin sa Pangulo na i-certify as urgent itong panukalang batas na ito,” he said in his opening statement during the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights’ hearing on Wednesday, October 22.
The Senator, who is the Chairperson of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, said that the IPC will be a permanent and non-partisan body that will focus on investigating anomalies in the government’s infrastructure projects.
“Kung maiisasabatas ang komisyong ito ay magiging mas malakas at mas malaya kumpara sa kasalukuyang ICI sa ilalim ng isang executive order. Ang Senate Bill No. 1215 ay nagbibigay sa IPC ng statutory permanence, ganap na kalayaan, at garantisado ang transparency at fiscal autonomy,” Pangilinan pointed out.
With the proposed law designed to strengthen the commission’s powers, structure, and funding, the senator explained that it will protect the IPC from being politicized.
The IPC will also cover all types of national and local government infrastructure projects, including those in education, agriculture, flood control, disaster resilience, and many others.
Under the proposal, the IPC shall submit its final report to the President and Congress within 30 days from the termination of its investigation. The report shall then be made public immediately after its submission.
“Dahil ang pagkaantala ng katotohanan ay pagkait ng hustisya. Truth delayed is justice denied,” Pangilinan said.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure, established by Executive Order No. 94 from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is currently investigating a nationwide corruption scandal related to infrastructure projects.
The commission is facing criticism for lacking contempt powers, despite having the ability to issue subpoenas.