The President has named two members of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, a body created by Executive Order 94 released on Sept. 11. He is expected to name the chairperson soon.
The two members are a former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, and SGV Country Managing Partner Rosanna Fajardo. Both have proven competence and integrity in their respective fields.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has been named special adviser.
The ICI is tasked to, “on complaint or motu proprio, hear, investigate, receive, gather, and evaluate evidence, intelligence reports, and information, against all government officials and employees, and any other individual, involved in anomalies, irregularities, and misuse of funds in the planning, financing, and implementation of government flood control and other infrastructure projects nationwide.”
The creation of the independent commission was driven by recent revelations of collusion between private contractors, public works officials, and politicians who all partook of hefty sums allocated to flood control projects in the national budget.
In the grand scheme, however, significant portions of the budgeted amount are divided among the “participants,” leaving a small amount barely enough for the actual project. In some cases, there lies nothing where flood-prevention infrastructure must be.
These stories and accusations have inflamed the public. Already, mass gatherings have been held in some places while a bigger gathering is expected to take place on Sept. 21.
But in the midst of accusations and counter accusations among the parties of interest, what has been lost is a firm anchor on the truth. How then can we tell what the truth is when everybody seems to be speaking merely to protect their own interest, or keep up appearances?
The individuals handpicked for the ICI prompt hope among our people that the truth can be uncovered devoid of drama and innuendos, but based only on facts and evidence.
We must remember, too, that we have only been talking about flood control projects in the past three years. We surmise there is a more menacing picture if we consider all other infrastructure projects from previous years. The ICI is expected to look into projects from as far back as 10 years.
Investigations held in both Houses of Congress will always be suspected of being skewed. Decisive action by an independent body, composed of members with stellar credentials and reputations, are infinitely better.
We take some comfort in the thought that the ICI will do its job, and well, as the hapless common Filipino taxpayer deserves.
