Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Commissioner Babes Singson decried on Thursday, Dec. 4, the body’s lack of budget and insufficient powers—limitations that, he said, constrained its mandate—following the announcement of his resignation.
He urged Congress to pass a measure establishing a stronger commission, saying the ICI had been left to shoulder blame for the flood control projects corruption scandal despite lacking the means to act decisively.
At a press conference, Singson expressed his frustration at the fact that the ICI was created through Executive Order (EO) No. 94 without any immediate budget.
“ICI was created, I would imagine, as an urgent matter. Kulang sa budget, walang budget. Nasa dyaryo ang budget, wala sa amin. Ganon ang sitwasyon,” he said, noting that even volunteers had yet to receive compensation since the ICI began operations in mid-September.
“Kumbaga lumaban ka sa giyera, solve mo ’yung problema, di ka naman binigyan ng armas. Ano nangyari sayo, e di nakatiwangwang,” he added, likening the Commission’s situation to fighting a war without weapons.
Beyond financial constraints, Singson stressed that the ICI lacked the necessary powers to hold accountable those implicated in the anomalous flood control projects.
The commission cannot issue subpoena to those involved, it cannot halt their departure from the country, it cannot make any arrest, and it cannot prosecute anybody, he said.
ICI also has “to resort to administrative measures” to bring at least some immediate justice, he said. Only through coordination with various agencies can it penalize people behind rigged biddings and freeze assets acquired illegally, among others.
“You cannot defend yourself. You have no powers. Mag-imbita ka, kung ayaw pumunta, wala ka ng magagawa. You do not even have subpoena powers. Kung gusto mong wag paalisin ang isang tao, we don’t have that [power],” he said.
“We have to go to court for a hold departure order. Oh ano nangyari, nakaalis, sisisihin pa kami don, edi punching bag ka na naman.”
“We were absorbing a lot of the flak for something that we do not have power to do. Ipakulong n’yo yan ‘yung kurakot, wala nga kamign power na ipakulong. Edi sinong sinisi, ICI, ambagal nyo, you must be protecting somebody, so binato na lahat sa ICI,” he added.
Singson in effect admitted to having discussions with Caloocan 2nd district Rep. Egay Erice, who first relayed to the public the commissioner’s frustrations concerning the ICI.
Singson then appealed to the Senate and the House of Representatives to pass the measure establishing the Independent People’s Commission.
“I hope people understand that ICI, on its own, cannot solely carry the burden. We need the support of other government institutions, particularly at this time, both houses of Congress, the Senate and the Lower House,” he said.
“So we are appealing to the leadership of the House and the Senate to please pass that before the year ends,” he added.
He said this would pave the way for a “much stronger independent commission with proper power and authorities that ICI does not have”. (Joseph Pedrajas)
