Sotto pushes stronger graft probe commission
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has proposed the creation of an Independent People’s Commission (IPC), but that may have to wait until next year.
Sotto said the Congress’s priority is to ratify the 2026 General Appropriations Bill, containing the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget, on Monday, Dec. 29.
“It may be passed next year. The budget bill is scheduled for approval on Dec. 29,” Sotto told reporters.
Sotto earlier said senators would fast-track the passage of the proposed IPC, which is among the priority measures of the Marcos administration.
He also said the legislation may be discussed in the Senate before Christmas break and be passed by January next year.
In bills filed in the Senate and in the House of Representatives, lawmakers proposed that the IPC be authorized to issue contempt sanctions or penalties against individuals who do not comply with legal orders.
More powers
The proposed IPC would also have the authority to file complaints against officials or any government personnel who try to block investigations into corruption in government projects.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has said it supports proposals to create a “more permanent commission” that could further strengthen efforts to investigate corruption in government infrastructure projects.
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the agency “trusts that the ICI shall continue to fulfill its mandate under the law,” adding that the DOJ “welcomes any development, such as the creation of a more permanent commission, that may aid the continued investigation of cases related to corruption in government infrastructure projects, especially those involving flood control projects.”
Ready to prosecute
Martinez said that the DOJ remains ready to investigate and prosecute cases, including those recommended by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), emphasizing that “in pursuit of the truth, the Department will always go where the evidence leads.”
Sotto said he believes the Palace-backed ICI has served its purpose.
“I think ICI and the other investigations being or [having] been conducted have given ample findings for the DOJ and the Ombudsman to continue with their work and pursue cases against the guilty ones,” said Sotto.
“[The] IPC bill will aid soon and more so for future investigations,” he added.
Earlier, the ICI said it would now focus on finalizing referrals that would be forwarded to the Office of the Ombudsman as it announced the resignation of Commissioner Rossana Fajardo, effective Dec. 31.
