Biz chambers push anti-graft legislation

A total of 20 business groups called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent several legislative measures that aim to expand the functions of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) by granting the anti-corruption body full investigative and prosecutorial powers.

- BY DEXTER BARRO II

"Our country urgently needs a far more empowered, broad-based, and truly independent anti-corruption body—one that is equipped with the mandate and authority that the current ICI does not possess," the business groups said in a joint statement on Wednesday, Dec. 10.

During a Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, Marcos directed lawmakers to "prioritize" the immediate passage of four proposed measures, including the proposed Independent People's Commission (IPC) bill.

Marcos, however, stopped short of certifying the measures as urgent.

In a social media post, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno said labeling these measures as "priority" would not lead to swift passage, unlike if they were certified as urgent.