For Kiko Pangilinan, the creation of a more empowered and independent commission to look into the government’s anomalous infrastructure projects will act as the “people’s watchdog,” ensuring that those behind the massive corruption will face the full extent of the law.
In his sponsorship speech for Senate Bill No. 1512, which will create the Independent People’s Commission (IPC), Pangilinan highlighted how the IPC can address the systemic corruption that has caused lives and livelihoods, especially in typhoon-hit areas.
“Kailangan unprecedented din ang pag papanagot.”
“Unprecedented ang kurakot. Unprecedented ang bunga ng krimen. Kailangan unprecedented din ang pag papanagot,” the veteran legislator said.
“Dulot na rin ng pangalan nito, magsisilbing people’s watchdog ang komisyon,” the seasoned lawmaker stated during the Senate’s plenary session, pointing out the different powers included in the IPC bill.
Among these are 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.
The senator added that all hearings that will be conducted by the IPC must be made public, and the commission must ensure a fair investigation rooted in the truth and the law.
“Ipasa na natin ang panukalang batas na ito, hindi bilang isa pang hungkag na kilos, kundi bilang isang bagong tipan,” he urged his colleagues.
Pangilinan said passing the measure is a commitment they must fulfill for every Filipino who lost their loved ones, their homes, and their livelihoods to the massive flooding caused by ghost, substandard, and failed infrastructure projects.
“Tungkulin natin ito sa lahat ng humihingi ng katarungan, ng pananagutan, at ng pagbabago.”
“Tungkulin natin ito sa lahat ng humihingi ng katarungan, ng pananagutan, at ng pagbabago,” he added.
SB 1215 was introduced by Senate President Vicento Sotto III and co-authored by Senators Risa Hontiveros and Erwin Tulfo.
Pangilinan, as chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, sponsored the measure and is pushing for its immediate passage.
