Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and the Akbayan Partylist voiced strong disappointment over the planned shutdown of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, saying the body failed to pursue full accountability in the multibillion peso flood control corruption investigation.
De Lima said the commission’s closure weakens efforts to hold those involved in the alleged infrastructure corruption scheme accountable.
“Sa hinaba haba ng prusisyon, sa dinami dami ng pasakalye, sa pagsasara rin ang tuloy,” De Lima said in a statement.
The commission was created by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to investigate alleged corruption in infrastructure projects. The body has remained recommendatory and referred its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman for further investigation.
De Lima questioned the scope of the inquiry and said the commission focused mainly on flood control projects despite being presented as a broader anti corruption body.
“Nilatag pa bilang Independent Commission ‘for Infrastructure’, pero hanggang flood control lang pala ang titingnan – iilan pa nga lang ang naimbestigahan. Wala ring silbi ang ginawang livestreaming,” she said.
ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr. earlier announced that the commission will cease operations on March 31, saying its mandate had been fulfilled and that its work may be carried forward by other government agencies.
De Lima said the administration allowed the commission to wind down instead of certifying House Bill 4453 as urgent. The proposed measure seeks to create an Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption with stronger investigative powers.
She authored the bill alongside several House members including Chel Diokno, Kaka Bag-ao, Percival Cendaña, Edgar Erice, Jaime Fresnedi, Krisel Lagman, Paolo Marcoleta, Elijah San Fernando and Alfonso Umali Jr..
“Hinding hindi natin ito dapat tantanan. Kasama ito sa sinisigaw ng taumbayan. Pagalawin nyo ang baso,” De Lima said.
Akbayan Party said it is troubling that the commission is shutting down while key figures linked to the alleged flood control corruption scheme remain untouched.
“For a scandal involving billions of pesos in public funds and infrastructure that was supposed to protect communities from devastating floods, nine referrals simply cannot be the end of the story,” said Rafaella David, president of Akbayan.
The party noted that the commission issued nine referrals for prosecution covering 65 individuals, despite earlier statements that the investigation could implicate more personalities involved in the flood control corruption scheme.
David called on the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice to pursue the cases submitted by the commission.
Responding to the criticism, Malacañang Press Officer Claire Castro said the conclusion of the commission’s work does not mean the investigation has ended.
“The conclusion of the ICI does not signal the end of the inquiry,” Castro said.
She added that the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice continue to conduct preliminary investigations into the cases submitted by the commission and may pursue additional inquiries.
Boying Remulla said the commission has already turned over at least 200 megaboxes of flood control documents to the Ombudsman.
