Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Monday, September 15, expressed hope that the newly formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will bring justice to a nation he described as “drowning in corruption.”
Lacson welcomed the appointment of former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr. as ICI chairman, saying his integrity would be crucial in ensuring accountability in government projects. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Reyes’ appointment earlier in the day.
“I had the chance of meeting him while he was still with the Supreme Court. He has integrity,” Lacson said of Justice Reyes.
The senator also cited the inclusion of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson and former SGV managing partner Rossana Fajardo as members of the commission, with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong serving as special adviser.
“We are hopeful that they can help bring justice to a nation drowning in corruption, no thanks to the insatiably greedy government officials, mostly from the legislative and executive branches,” Lacson said.
On Sunday, September 14, Lacson also welcomed the expansion of the ICI’s mandate to cover all infrastructure projects, not just flood control works. He said he hopes the Sumbong sa Pangulo website will eventually broaden its scope beyond flood control as well.
The senator noted that bills have been filed in both houses of Congress to institutionalize the ICI, giving it powers similar to Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
