The resignation of Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Commissioner Rossana Fajardo further stresses the urgency to pass a measure creating an Independent People’s Commission (IPC) that will succeed and institutionalize the ICI, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said over the weekend.
Lacson said that while the ICI has been very helpful in gathering information that may lead to the prosecution and arrest of those involved in anomalous flood control projects, it is still an ad hoc body and is not permanent.
“The bill creating the IPC must be passed to institutionalize the function of the ICI and make it part of the law of the land. The ICI is an ad hoc body and is not permanent; it needs a mandate,” he said in Filipino and English in an interview on DWIZ radio late Saturday.
In Filipino: Lacson, Iginiit ang Pagmamadaling Maipasa ang Panukalang IPC Matapos ang Pagbibitiw ni ICI Commissioner Fajardo
Fajardo on Friday tendered her resignation effective Dec. 31, saying she had completed the work she set out to accomplish when she was appointed. Fellow commissioner Rogelio Singson resigned earlier this month.
Lacson noted the IPC may help address the challenges faced by the ICI commissioners, including the lack of immunity from suit, and the lack of the power to cite persons in contempt.
“This is why the ICI merely referred cases to the Ombudsman instead of filing complaints against those involved – its commissioners have no immunity from suit and may face countercharges for doing their work,” he said.
Yet, Lacson said the ICI greatly helped in gathering information, with lawmakers heeding its invitations to appear and testify. He added the information gathered saved the Ombudsman time in building cases.
Meanwhile, Lacson urged authorities to refrain from publicly stating dates on when those linked to the anomalous infrastructure project issue would be charged or arrested, saying this would result in public disappointment if they are not fulfilled.
He said he shares the disappointment of many Filipinos that the administration’s earlier promises of major personalities being charged or arrested by Dec. 15 or by Christmas have not materialized.
In his case, Lacson said he already shared with the ICI, Department of Justice and Department of Public Works and Highways several pieces of evidence from his privilege speeches as well as from Blue Ribbon Committee hearings.
“If they are not sure, they should not make announcements. Now they say personalities will be jailed by New Year. Who will believe them if this promise goes unfulfilled? Yes, there have been some arrests but the public wants to see big personalities punished,” he said.
*****
Lacson, Iginiit ang Pagmamadaling Maipasa ang Panukalang IPC Matapos ang Pagbibitiw ni ICI Commissioner Fajardo
Iginiit ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson ang pagpasa agad ng panukalang batas na lilikha sa Independent People’s Commission (IPC) na hahalili at mag-iinstitutionalize sa Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), matapos ang pagbitiw ni ICI Commissioner Rossana Fajardo.
Ani Lacson, bagama’t malaking tulong ang ICI sa pangangalap ng impormasyon na maaaring magbunga ng pagsasampa ng kaso at pag-aresto sa mga sangkot sa mga maanomalyang flood control project, nananatili itong isang ad hoc na komisyon at hindi permanente.
“Kailangan maisabatas ang IPC para talagang ma-institutionalize at maging part ng law of the land para tuloy-tuloy. Kasi ad hoc lang yan (ICI), di permanent yan. Para nang sa ganoon mas may mandato,” ani Lacson sa panayam sa DWIZ Sabado ng hapon.
Noong Biyernes, naghain ng pagbibitiw si Fajardo na epektibo Disyembre 31, matapos niyang sabihin na natapos na niya ang mga layuning itinakda niya nang siya ay maitalaga. Nauna nang nagbitiw ngayong buwan ang kapwa niya commissioner na si Rogelio Singson.
Giit ni Lacson, maaaring makatulong ang IPC sa pagresolba sa mga hamong kinaharap ng mga commissioner ng ICI, kabilang ang kawalan ng immunity from suit at ang kawalan ng kapangyarihang mag-cite ng contempt.
“Ayaw nila mag-file ng complaint mismo, yan isang dahilan na wala silang immunity from suit – katakot-takot na countercharge ang maabutan nila,” ani Lacson.
Gayunman, sinabi ni Lacson na malaki ang naitulong ng ICI sa pangangalap ng impormasyon, lalo’t tumugon ang mga mambabatas sa mga imbitasyon nitong humarap at tumestigo. Dagdag niya, nakatipid ito ng oras ng Office of the Ombudsman sa pagbuo ng mga kaso.
Samantala, hinimok ni Lacson ang mga awtoridad na umiwas sa paglalabas ng petsa kung kailan kakasuhan o aarestuhin ang mga sangkot sa mga maanomalyang proyektong pang-imprastraktura, dahil nagdudulot lamang ito ng pagkadismaya sa publiko kapag hindi natutupad.
Ani Lacson, dismayado siya tulad ng maraming Pilipino sa hindi pagtupad ng administrasyon sa naunang mga pahayag na may mga malalaking personalidad na kakasuhan o aarestuhin umano pagsapit ng Disyembre 15 o bago mag-Pasko.
Naibahagi na ni Lacson sa ICI, Department of Justice, at Department of Public Works and Highways ang ilang ebidensiyang nagmula sa kanyang mga privilege speech at sa mga pagdinig ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
“Kung hindi sigurado, hindi dapat bitawan ng salita. Ngayon sabi nila pagdating ng Bagong Taon may makulong. Sino maniniwala kung di natupad unang pangako? May nakulong nga pero hindi ito gusto ng kababayan nating makitang ma-issue ng arrest warrant,” ani Lacson.
*****