Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Executive Director Brian Hosaka says the proposed "upgraded" ICI should be able to compel the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) to revoke the licences of professionals who implemented anomalous flood control projects.

This was part of the position paper that the ICI submitted to the Committee on Government Reorganization during the House panel's public hearing Tuesday, Nov. 11. Bulacan 6th district Rep. Salvador Pleyto chairs the panel.

Tackled during proceedings were House Bill (HB) Nos. 4453 and 5699, which sought to create the so-called Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption or (ICAIC).

The ICAIC has been basically described as ICI with "teeth". Created via Palace directive, the ICI is the special investigator of sorts on the massive flood control corruption scandal.

"The commission would also like to humbly suggest that one of the powers of the ICAIC include the power to directly recommend the [PRC] the automatic cancellation of professional licenses of professionals found to be responsible in the implementation of anomalous flood control projects or other infrastructure projects," said Hosaka, who was asked by solons to discuss the ICI's recommendations as mentioned in its position paper.

In line with this, Hosaka bared that the ICI also "respectfully recommends that the ICAIC be granted the power to issue closure or revocation of registration of establishments, which are found to be responsible for anomalous infrastructure projects".

During the hearing, Hosaka said the scope of the ICI's work covers 238,000 flood control projects around the Philippines.

"We believe that given the gravity of this undertaking, the proposed investigative body tasked to examine these projects must be vested with expanded powers so it can bring those responsible for the anomalous flood control projects to justice with swiftness and certainty that the Filipino people rightfully demand," he said.

"The commission therefore supports the intent of both House bills to strengthen the proposed body, particularly through provisions granting the power to cite persons in contempt, issue hold departure orders, recover and sequester assets, prohibit restraining orders and exempt the proposed commission and its members from liability in the performance of its duties," the executive director said, referring to then twin bills.

The ICI also sought from the Pleyto panel the inclusion of a transitory provision in the ICAIC measure.

"This clause would ensure the continuity of the investigatory work of the commission and provide security of tenure to its existing employees who will be absorbed by the newly-created ICAIC," Hosaka noted.

He also cited the importance of ICI's access to information. "We would like to add that the ICAIC shall have complete access to information from government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCC)...in the pursuit of its mandate."

Hosaka said these GOCCs include the Anti-Money Laundering Council, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Customs, Securities and Exchange Commission, Land Registration Authority, and the Land Transportation Office.

One of the measures' authors, Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima welcomed Hosaka's recommendations since they were in line with making the ICI stronger as a investigative body.

"These are very good comments and very good additinal recommendations especially on the powers of the ICI," she said.

"We appreciate the fact that generally, the ICI supports both bills insofar as certain powers are being granted to this independent commission," De Lima added.