Crimes against the Republic

The Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) was off to a good start last week in its investigation into the alleged “ghost” flood control projects.

- MARICHU A. VILLANUEVA

The ICI began its preliminary investigation with Brice Hernandez, one of the dismissed district engineers in Bulacan of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The ICI was actually tasked, among others, to look into the graft-tainted flood control and other infrastructure projects funded by the government for the past 10 years.

Created by Executive Order (EO) 94, PBBM named retired Supreme Court (SC) associate justice Andres Reyes Jr. to chair the ICI, with ex-DPWH secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson and SGV & Co. country managing partner Rossana Fajardo as members. PBBM designated Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as special adviser to the ICI.

In its first week into office, the ICI took up first the reported “ghost” flood control projects funded in the annual budget of the DPWH from 2022 to 2025. Thus, the ICI summoned Hernandez to shed light on his admissions and disclosures in two congressional hearings taking place one after the other.

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee previously chaired by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta went ahead with their motu proprio inquiry following the privilege speech of Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.

By a twist of fate, Lacson took over from Marcoleta as the chairman of this committee following the Senate leadership change. Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III was elected as new Senate president. Lacson, designated Senate president pro tempore, exposed possible conflict of interest of erstwhile DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan, whose daughter allegedly was a co-owner of a contractor firm with former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.