Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to fund the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) but said a law is still needed to make the body “bulletproof” and truly independent in pursuing corruption cases.
“We have to find a way na mas mabilis ang imbestigasyon, mas mabilis ‘yung pagkaso, at hindi tayo ma-distract… Ang problema sa ICI, sila mismo ang nagsabi na ‘kulang kami sa power.’ Pati sila napagbibintangan na sa direksyon,” Cayetano said.
The veteran legislator’s remarks came after the President gave assurance that the government is “committed to make sure that they can fund their investigation,” following reports that the ICI has yet to receive an approved budget from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
“While the administration’s funding pledge is a good start, financial support alone is not enough.”
The seasoned lawmaker said that while the administration’s funding pledge is a good start, financial support alone is not enough.
The senator urged Congress to pass the proposed law authored by Senate President Tito Sotto, which seeks to institutionalize the ICI as a permanent, non-partisan anti-corruption body with broader powers.
“The law must make it faster, focused, and truly independent.”
“Kailangan focused tayo… The law must make it faster, focused, and truly independent,” he stressed.
Cayetano also called for broader representation within the commission, suggesting the inclusion of opposition and faith-based members to ensure independence, citing the US model of independent or special counsels.
“Sa US, kapag independent or special counsel ka, ang pera mo at gagawin mo ay independent ka talaga,” he said.
Cayetano added that the ICI should also be granted contempt powers to compel cooperation during investigations while still respecting constitutional rights.
“Isipin mo kung… may hearing pero walang contempt power. E ‘di walang pumansin,” he concluded.
