Chairman of ICI Speaks on Flood Control Investigation
ICI – The Independent Commission for Infrastructure suggested the filing of charges against senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva as well as Zaldy Co among others.
Following the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, House Speaker Bojie Dy said that the flood control investigation is best left in the hands of the commission. President Bongbong Marcos ordered the creation of the independent body to probe the supposed multi-billion flood control scam.
Several congressmen and senators were tagged in the flood control issue that brought thousands of Filipinos on the streets to protest last September 21. They joined the “Trillion Peso March” to call for an end to corruption in the government. The people also called on Pres. Bongbong Marcos to hold the ones responsible in the flood control mess accountable.
Marcos Jr. previously claimed that not even his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, nor his allies will be spared from the flood control investigation. Amid the doubts of many people, he stressed that the only way to do it is really to not spare them from the investigation.
Presidential cousin and Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez who resigned from being the House speaker appeared before the ICI. According to him, he will help in any way to fast-track the resolution of the issue.
The ICI also invited Zaldy Co in their flood control probe. However, the resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative did not return to the Philippines amid the corruption accusations against him. The commission recently issued the second subpoena for Co.
Recently, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman the filing of cases against several individuals including senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva as well as Zaldy Co. Based on a post of News5 on social media, the suggestion is over the alleged “kickback scheme”.
According to ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr., they can be charged over direct and indirect bribery, corruption, and plunder based on the testimonies of witnesses who appeared before the commission. Based on the post, the three-member body suggested the filing of charges against the following:
- Former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co
- Sen. Joel Villanueva
- Sen. Jinggoy Estrada
- Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo
- Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana
- Former Caloocan Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy
“No one will be spared in this fight against corruption,” the ICI Chairman said.
Recently, Pres. Bongbong Marcos broke his silence on the criticisms of alleged slow actions of the government against the flood control culprits.