NEWLY installed Speaker of the House Faustino “Bojie” Dy III suggested Monday that the investigation into alleged anomalous government infrastructure projects would be best handled by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), established by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Dy voiced his opinion during his first press conference as Speaker, stating, “Mas makakabuti na ipasa na sa ICI” (It would be better if the probe will be passed on to the ICI).
Dy’s statement comes after the House Infrastructure Committee, formed under the leadership of former Speaker Martin Romualdez, conducted two hearings into alleged irregularities in government flood control projects.
Romualdez’s subsequent resignation from the committee was attributed to a desire to allow the ICI to “pursue its mandate freely and fully, without doubt, without interference, without undue influence.” Romualdez, who has been linked to the controversy, is a cousin of President Marcos Jr., raising potential concerns about impartiality. While the House appears to be deferring to the ICI, the Senate Blue Ribbon committee is reportedly continuing its own investigation into the matter. Congress retains the power to conduct investigations and recommend criminal or administrative charges, regardless of the ICI’s involvement.
