Multisectoral alliance lauds ICI
A group of lawyers, businessmen, church and education leaders, and former public officials on Sunday called for accountability amid the corruption scandal, as it commended the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) for its inquiry and urged the formation of a similar body as a formal institution in the government.
In a statement, the Roundtable for Inclusive Development (RID) said that together with church bishops, it reaffirmed its commitment to democracy and calls against corruption in government.
“We share in their message of caution for our people as selfish interests continue to tap into their heightened anger to advance political agendas that have little regard for the plight of families and communities, especially those who are victims of the recent spate of natural calamities, some made worse by man-made risks and government inaction,” the statement read.
The group welcomed ICI’s recent moves recommending cases to the Ombudsman, noting that “despite its many limitations, [it] has actually been doing our country invaluable service gathering data, receiving and vetting voluminous testimonies.”
It called on Congress to institutionalize the formation of the Independent People’s Commission as an investigative body free of “political interference.”
‘Long overdue’ policies
Among the signatories in the RID statement are Cardinal Pablo “Ambo” David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines; former finance secretary Ramon del Rosario; former Senate president Franklin Drilon; Archbishop Socrates Villegas; De La Salle University president Bro. Bernard Oca; former ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia, and former budget secretary Florencio Abad.
The group also urged Congress to enact “long overdue” policies “that promote transparency, accountability, and meaningful participation,” such as the ban on political dynasties, the budget transparency bill, the Freedom of Information Act, and party-list development reforms.
RID also called on former Ako-Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co to return to the country and to make his statements through a judicial affidavit, “so that the proper legal processes may take their course.”
The public must “look beyond personalities and focus on the deeper moral imperative of ensuring genuine accountability in public office,” it noted, adding that Filipinos must understand the importance of strengthening democracy through reforms, and resisting “forces that may seek to exploit moments of national uncertainty for their own gain.”
Impact on economy
Also on Sunday, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said in a radio interview that everything happening now has been negatively affecting the economy.
Investors might also weigh in on the corruption issues due to the massive protests against the government, he told dzBB.
He said there is a need “to restore the people’s confidence in leadership, in governance and, of course, in our economy.” WITH A REPORT FROM TINA G. SANTOS
