The recent resignation of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Babes Singson from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) underscores the urgent need to pass the proposed measure creating the Independent People’s Commission (IPC), Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said.
In an ambush interview on Thursday, December 4, the senator pushed anew for the passage of the IPC law, acknowledging that Secretary Babes Singson himself said the ICI needs more power.
“Lalong naging mahalaga na maipasa itong IPC—Independent People’s Commission—para matugunan yung ilang dahilan bakit nagbitiw,” he stressed.
“They need more teeth, kailangan nila ng mas malawak na kapangyarihan para magawa nila yung trabaho nila. Hindi biro yung mga hinaharap nila na issues dahil napaka-kontrobersiyal ng kasong ito, napaka-kontrobersiyal ng eskandalong ito,” he added.
The senator, as chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, is the sponsor of the proposed measure.
“Kinakailangan talaga na mabigyan sila ng full support and the Independent People’s Commission will give them the support that they need to be able to do the job right,” Pangilinan said.
The measure aims to create a fact-finding body that has the power to issue subpoenas, the power to suspend and freeze assets and follow the money trail, the power to cite individuals and entities in contempt, the power to cancel licenses of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the power to grant witness immunity and protection, and the power to issue look out orders and recommend hold departure orders to proper authorities.
The proposed measure will also give the IPC the power to suspend and blacklist contractors and remove them from the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System, the power to recommend to the President policy measures, the power to temporarily issue closure orders, the power to sequester assets temporarily, the power to deputize the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and other law enforcement agencies in the conduct of its investigation.
“Lahat yan gusto natin ibigay sa kanila,” the senator assured, adding that the IPC will eliminate allegations that there are “sacred cows” in the investigation.
“Well, if you give them the powers, the chances of having sacred cows will be diminished largely. Ngayon kasi, ni hindi nga nila ma-cite in contempt yung mga maaaring hindi kumilala sa kanila. Ang sagot doon kapag binigyan sila ng kapangyarihan lalong masasabi nating yung sacred cows na sitwasyon eh maiiwasan,” Pangilinan explained.
He also furthered that public trust will be restored once those behind the massive corruption in government infrastructure projects are jailed.
The senator expressed hope that President Marcos would certify the bill as urgent, so Congress could pass the measure before the year ends.