Camille Naredo

Facade of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) headquarters in Taguig City Photo taken on October 15, 2025

Facade of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) headquarters in Taguig City Photo taken on October 15, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The House Committee on Government Reorganization began tackling on Monday the bills seeking to give more powers to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which are seen to get the lower chamber’s approval this November.House panel chairperson and Bulacan 6th District Representative Salvador Pleyto said he received instruction from the House Speaker to prioritize the measures.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/1/marcos-jr-confident-on-legal-grounds-for-ici-s-existence-mandate-2129" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">READ: Marcos Jr. confident on legal grounds for ICI’s existence, mandate</a></div>House Bill 4453, filed by 13 congressmen, proposes to create an Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption, and grants it authority to cite persons in contempt for refusal to obey lawful orders. House Bill 5699, filed by Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco, meanwhile, also proposes to authorize the ICAC to issue hold departure orders, recover and sequester properties, and directly file administrative, criminal or civil cases against individuals suspected of involvement in flood control and other infrastructure anomalies.Among the attendees in the House panel’s technical briefing, either physically or virtually, are the lawmakers who authored the bills, and ICI Spokesperson Brian Hosaka.“Nagpatawag po kami because of the instruction of the Speaker na i-apura natin itong bills na ito,” Pleyto said.“Ito po ay para ma-strengthen natin, mapalakas natin ‘yung ngipin ng ICI… Wala silang mga contempt powers, subpoena powers. Bibigyan din natin sila ng mga karapatan na mag-hold departure order…. Kung mapapasa natin itong bill na ito, direct na sila mag-file ng kaso sa Sandiganbayan,” he added.“Siguro walang sinumang congressman magkokontra nito. Kasi para sa ikabubuti ng ating bayan, para matapos na po itong mga corruption nito... Imagine, wala silang pondo. Galing lang sa contingent fund ng ating Pangulo. Kailangan magkakaroon sila ng sarili ng pondo para sa machineries nila, para sa staff nila, yung sekretariat, para sa mga sweldo, ‘yung mga iba pang pangangailangan,” Pleyto noted.He hopes the President will certify the bills as urgent.Kamanggagawa Party List Representative Eli San Fernando, who is among the authors of House Bill 4453, is optimistic that once the measure is enacted, it can help fast track efforts to hold accountable individuals allegedly involved in flood control anomalies.“In its current form, ‘yung ICI talaga walang kapangyarihan, walang pangil. Halimbawa, kung sabi ng mga Discaya, ayaw na nila mag-participate sa proceedings na ginagawa ng ICI. Wala naman magawa yung ICI. Kasi nga, ‘yung rason, wala nga siyang contempt powers. Hindi naman niya ma-compel ‘yung mga iniimbitahan niya,” San Fernando said.The House committee is scheduled to meet again on November 11 to deliberate on the measures.

The House Committee on Government Reorganization began tackling on Monday the bills seeking to give more powers to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which are seen to get the lower chamber’s approval this November.

The House Committee on Government Reorganization began tackling on Monday the bills seeking to give more powers to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which are seen to get the lower chamber’s approval this November.

House eyes approval of bills seeking to give ICI more powers

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House eyes approval of bills seeking to give ICI more powers

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 03, 2025 05:43 PM PHT

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House of Representatives

ICI

Independent Commission for Infrastructure

flood control projects

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