THE Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) seeks assistance from law enforcement agencies to look into reports that a syndicate is using the ICI to extort money from lawmakers.
ICI officials asserted however, that this was the first time they have heard of such scheme.
ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr. said the commission was unaware of individuals pretending to be representatives of the panel in order to extort money from some lawmakers.
“We don’t know who these people are. It is known that Filipinos possess numerous skills to extort money, and that’s nothing new in our country,” Reyes said.
Nonetheless, the commission stated it would seek assistance from relevant government agencies to investigate the alleged extortion attempts.
Congressmen and senators have become part of the ongoing ICI probe related to flood control anomaly. c
Reyes emphasized the commission’s dedication to promoting transparency and accountability regarding the ongoing multi-billion peso flood control scandal. He assured that the investigation would continue without hindrance, despite any attempts by criminal elements to obstruct it.
The ICI also gave assurance it continues to uphold its commitment to reveal the truth and to guarantee that all responsible parties in the anomalous flood control projects are held accountable.
“The ICI hears and understands the public’s call for accountability and justice. The Commission is one with them against corruption,” the panel said.
On Wednesday, the ICI asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue another set of immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against 17 more individuals allegedly involved in the flood control project scandal.
The subjects of the new ILBO request consisted of Gerald A. Pacanan, CESO III regional director, Department of Public Works and Highways MIMAROPA Region IV-B; Gene Ryan A. Altea, assistant regional director; Ruben C. Santos, Jr. – assistant regional director; Dominic G. Serrano – chief, Construction Division; Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) chairperson; Felisardo S. Casuno, project engineer III; Timojen A. Sacar, materials engineer; Montrexis T. Tamayo, acting chief of Planning and Design Division; Juliet C. Calvo, chief, Maintenance
Division; Dennis P. Abagonm acting chief, Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division and B member; Lerma D. Caycom accountant IV; Grace D. Lopez, BAC members Friedrich Karl L. Camero, Aderma Angelie D. Alcazar, president and chairperson, Sunwest board members ; Cesar X. Buenaventura, Consuelo D. Aldon; Noel Y. Cao, s, and Anthony L. Ngo.
Two months ago, the DOJ issued an ILBO against 43 Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and private contractors upon the request of the commission. The ICI made the same request last month against 16 other individuals.
An ILBO is a directive to immigration authorities to monitor individuals leaving the country, notably those who are subjects of ongoing investigations or legal cases. It differs from a hold departure order, which is a court-issued directive preventing an individual from leaving the country.
