Special infra body feels press for more lawyers, promised funds
Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Chair Andres Reyes Jr. said on Friday that “it will take some time” for the commission to have rules and procedures for livestreaming its hearings because they do not have enough lawyers to process such legal matters.
Reyes said this after he said on Thursday that the commission would need to study and draft the rules of procedure and parameters before it goes on livestreaming its hearings.
“I don’t know. It will take some time,” Reyes noted when asked “how soon” the ICI would have the livestreaming procedures, as the commission only has a total of 13 lawyers.
“We have to look at the procedures of all the courts, all the heading bodies. We have to remember we only have five lawyers. So, it’ll take some time,” Reyes said.
“We borrowed eight from the PAO (Public Attorney’s Office). So, now we have 13. But we’re undermanned. But we will try to finish it,” he added.
No volunteers
Protesters staged a rally at the ICI headquarters in Taguig City on Friday amid calls for accountability and justice.
The ICI released the statement in response to the disaster survivors and progressive groups who conducted Black Friday protest in front of the commission’s gate on Friday morning to condemn the alleged whitewashing and cover‑ups in the commission’s investigation process.
“The ICI hears and understands the public’s call for accountability and justice. The Commission is one with them against corruption,” the ICI said in the statement.
“The Commission remains committed to fulfilling its mandate of gathering evidence and testimonies related to anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects in the country,” it pointed out.
But ICI noted that it is only about “40 days old” and is a newly established entity.
“Our budget approval with DBM (Department of Budget and Management) is still pending, and resources remain limited. Despite multiple constraints, we continue to move quickly while maintaining thoroughness and accuracy in vetting the reports and data submitted to us,” the ICI noted.
“Before referring cases to the Office of the Ombudsman, we ensure that all findings are substantiated and capable of withstanding scrutiny in the court of law to prevent dismissal,” said the ICI.
