ICI invites Romualdez, Co to flood control probe

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) plans to summon former speaker Martin Romualdez, resigned congressman Zaldy Co, as well as Senator and former public works chief Mark Villar as part of its ongoing investigation on corruption in infrastructure projects.

- By EJ MACABABBAD

Brian Keith Hosaka, ICI executive director, said Romualdez “has been invited already,” but did not specify when the subpoena was issued.

It remains unclear whether Co, who stepped down from his post on Monday and is currently abroad, has also received an invitation.

Romualdez and Co are key figures in the investigation on anomalies in flood control projects, being the speaker and the chairman of the House appropriations committee, respectively.

Romualdez, a cousin of the President, relinquished his speakership on Sept. 17. During a hearing by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, retired Marine sergeant Orly Guteza testified delivering 46 suitcases of “basura (trash)” — code for kickback money — to Romualdez’s residence. Co had also received several suitcases containing cash, according to Guteza.

On Sept. 24, former public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo appeared before the ICI. He did not speak to the media.

Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also visited the ICI’s office in Taguig to face the three-member fact-finding body.

Hosaka announced that starting next week, ICI hearings would be held every Tuesday and Wednesday.

Waste of time

For former finance chief Benjamin Diokno, lawmakers should drop their ongoing investigations on the alleged corruption in flood control projects and instead prove their integrity by passing a national budget without congressional insertions for next year.