Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Speaks on Creation of ICI To Investigate the Flood Control Mess
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President criticized the formation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) amid the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption in the Philippines.
Amid the flood control mess in the country wherein several senators and congressmen are accused of corruption through the flood control projects funded by the government, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI was created. The three-member body was formed upon the order of Pres. Bongbong Marcos.
Marcos Jr.’s independent probe team has the power to issue a subpoena as well as move for the freezing or seizure of assets linked to irregularities. Following the creation of the ICI, the House of Representatives stopped its flood control control probe.
According to House Speaker Bojie Dy, the flood control probe is best done by the independent commission that Marcos Jr. ordered to be formed. The Senate pushed through with its investigation but the hearing has yet to resume since Sen. Ping Lacson resigned from being the chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee which leads the investigation.
Recently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte spoke on the formation of the ICI amid the flood control issue in the Philippines. According to the Vice President, the independent body was allegedly formed so that whatever report the ICI will release, it will supposedly be the official story about the corruption issue in the country.
“Nagbukas sila ng ICI para kung ano man yung report ng ICI, yun na yung official na kwento ng nangyaring korapsyon, at yun na yung ifefeed nila sa tao, at sasabihin nila na ito yung kwento at ito yung gagawin nating responsible,” she said.
Based on a report on PhilStar, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte further said that through the creation of the ICI, it allegedly takes away the chance for Filipinos to refute the results of the flood control probe as the body is legit. According to her, she believes the Marcos administration is allegedly legitimizing the story that they want the Filipino people to believe in.
“That way ikaw na mamamayan, hindi mo na ma-dispute, di mo na ma-kontra yung results dahil sasabihin niya, legitimate yan… Paniwala ko, nile-legitimize nila yung kwento na gusto nila lumabas,” the Vice President said.
Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, there are accusations that the flood control probe will allegedly lead to the doorsteps of Malacañang. There are calls for the President to step down from his position. Pres. Bongbong Marcos previously reacted to the allegations that link him to the flood control issue in the country.