Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III has filed Senate Bill No. 1215, seeking the creation of an Independent People’s Commission (IPC) to investigate corruption in government infrastructure projects, particularly flood-control initiatives.
Sotto said corruption in infrastructure is “seen, heard, and felt by Filipinos more than ever,” citing failed flood-control projects, dilapidated classrooms, and substandard farm-to-market roads.
The proposed IPC will have authority to probe anomalies such as ghost projects, overpricing, and the use of substandard materials in projects implemented by the national and local governments, as well as government-owned corporations.
It will also identify those responsible, whether public officials or private contractors, and recommend criminal, civil, or administrative charges.
Unlike existing agencies, Sotto said, the IPC will specialize in infrastructure corruption. The body will be composed of a retired Supreme Court or Court of Appeals justice as chair, a forensic accounting expert, a licensed civil engineer or architect, an NGO representative, and an academic in public administration or economics. Members will serve a three-year term and may be reappointed by the President.
“We owe it to the Filipino people to ensure that public funds are utilized efficiently, honestly and transparently in the construction of all government infrastructure projects,” said Sotto.IMT
