Puno backs Independent People’s Commission vs corruption
Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno on Wednesday said that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) does not wield enough powers to address the largest corruption scandal in the country’s history.
At the Senate panel on justice and human rights’ hearing on infrastructure anomalies, Puno supported the establishment of Independent People’s Commission that would investigate all forms of anomalies in the government.
Puno said the Senate Bill No. 1215, a measure seeking the establishment of IPC, is a necessary legislation that the country needs to pass “without unnecessary delay” in view of the crisis of corruption threatening Philippine harmony.
“Based on your own inputs, you therefore — it’s your position that the current ICI has inadequate powers to be able to address the largest corruption scandal ever in the country’s history?” asked panel head Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
“Yes, and I’d like to think that that opinion is shared by the people in our country, especially the academe, the professors of constitutional law, and I’d like to think that this is considered even by the present [ICI],” Puno replied.
Unlike the ICI, the IPC would investigate corruption in government infrastructure projects, not limited to those involving the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Puno said the IPC should have an independent status, having power not only to investigate but also to file appropriate charges and prosecute erring personalities.
“We hail the model of Singapore — [or] HongKong. They have power to prosecute, not just to investigate. Not just to be glorified researchers. For this purpose, the commission can develop its own prosecutors or deputize some prosecutors from the DOJ, from the Ombudsman, from the Office of the Solicitor General, from the PAO to assist in the prosecution of the cases,” said Puno.
Earlier, Sotto said he would formally request President Ferdinand R, Marcos Jr. to certify Senate Bill 1215 as urgent to fast-track its passage. /gsg
