Lacson Hopeful ICI Can Bring Justice to Nation ‘Drowning’ in Corruption

With the appointment of former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr. as chairman, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is in a good position to bring justice to a nation drowning in corruption, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Monday.

Lacson cited the integrity of Reyes, who he had the chance to meet while he was still in the Supreme Court. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced earlier Monday that Reyes would chair the iCI.

“I had the chance of meeting him while he was still with the Supreme Court. He has integrity,” Lacson said of Reyes.

In Filipino: Lacson Umaasa na Magbibigay ng Hustisya ang ICI sa Bayan na Lubog sa Korapsyon

He also cited the appointment to the ICI of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Rogelio Singson and former SGV managing partner Rossana Fajardo, with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as special adviser.

“We are hopeful that they can help bring justice to a nation “drowning” in corruption, no thanks to the insatiably greedy government officials, mostly from the legislative and executive branches,” he said.

On Sunday, Lacson welcomed the expanded coverage of the ICI to include all infrastructure projects and not just flood control projects, even as he hopes the Sumbong sa Pangulo website will similarly expand its coverage beyond flood control projects.

He also noted there are bills filed in both houses of Congress that will institutionalize the ICI, complete with all the powers in the mold of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) of Hong Kong and the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) of Singapore.

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Lacson Umaasa na Magbibigay ng Hustisya ang ICI sa Bayan na Lubog sa Korapsyon

Sa pagtatalaga kay dating Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr. bilang chairman, nasa mabuting posisyon ang Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) upang magdala ng hustisya sa bayan na lumulubog sa korapsyon, ayon kay Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Lunes.

Ipinunto ni Lacson ang integridad ni Reyes, na nakilala niya pa noong nasa Korte Suprema ito. Inanunsyo ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. nitong Lunes na si Reyes ang uupong chairman ng ICI.

“I had the chance of meeting him while he was still with the Supreme Court. He has integrity,” sabi ni Lacson hinggil kay Reyes.

Binanggit din niya ang pagkakatalaga sa ICI ng dating DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson at dating SGV managing partner Rossana Fajardo, kasama si Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong bilang special adviser.

“We are hopeful that they can help bring justice to a nation ‘drowning’ in corruption, no thanks to the insatiably greedy government officials, mostly from the legislative and executive branches,” aniya.

Noong Linggo, ikinatuwa ni Lacson ang pinalawak na coverage ng ICI upang masaklaw ang lahat ng infrastructure projects at hindi lang flood control projects, habang umaasa rin siya na palalawakin din ng Sumbong sa Pangulo website ang coverage nito lampas sa flood control projects.

Binanggit din niya na may mga panukalang batas na inihain sa dalawang kapulungan ng Kongreso upang maisabatas ang ICI, na magkakaroon ng kapangyarihan na kahalintulad ng Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) ng Hong Kong at Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) ng Singapore.

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