Biz groups: Rush creation of more powerful panel
Major Philippine business organizations and executive groups on Wednesday urged Congress to fast-track the creation of a stronger, fully independent anticorruption body with powers wider than that of the existing Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
The 20 business groups called on the Senate to pass the bill establishing the Independent People’s Commission (IPC), and on the House of Representatives to approve a counterpart measure creating the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC).
Must be ‘truly independent’
Having a more powerful version of the ICI, the groups argued, would strengthen the ability of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice to pursue officials involved in corruption and help restore public confidence in government.
“Our country urgently needs a far more empowered, broad-based, and truly independent anticorruption body—one that is equipped with the mandate and authority that the current Independent Commission [for]Infrastructure does not possess,” the statement read.
“At a time when blatant and widespread misuse of public funds has eroded confidence in our institutions, our nation is confronting a profound crisis of public trust,” it added.
Signatories
Among the signatories were the Bankers Association of the Philippines, Cebu Business Club, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Leads Foundation, Connected Women, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., Federation of Philippine Industries, Filipina CEO Circle, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines and Fintech Alliance Philippines.
Also signing were the Institute for Solidarity in Asia, Institute of Corporate Directors, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Nextgen Organization of Women Corporate Directors, People Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Association of Securities Brokers and Dealers Inc., Philippine Women’s Economic Network, Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines and the UP School Of Economics Alumni Association.
Advisory nature
Senate Bill No. 1215 seeks to create the IPC, while House Bill No. 4453 proposes the ICAIC. Both would function as fact-finding bodies that have the power to subpoena individuals and documents, cite individuals in contempt and recommend immunity for witnesses.
In contrast, the ICI lacks contempt powers and is limited to conducting hearings, taking testimony, and receiving, gathering, reviewing, and evaluating evidence, reports and information before recommending the filing of charges to the Office of the Ombudsman.
The groups said the ICI’s advisory nature undermines its ability to implement decisive actions.
‘Transparency’
“A truly independent IPC or ICAIC will guarantee transparency and accountability—no cover-up, no sacred cow, no political maneuvering. It will safeguard the people’s money and help rebuild the people’s trust that is essential to a healthy democracy,” they said.
“It will be able to conduct comprehensive probes into allegations of corruption in government projects; file administrative and criminal cases against erring public officials, employees, and private sector partners; and recommend needed reforms in our laws, systems, and institutions,” they added.
