Proponents of the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC) Act in the House of Representatives have hailed the measure's approval at the technical working group (TWG) level.

Celebraring this development over the weekened were Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and Caloocan City 2nd district Rep. Egay Erice.

"Good news! Pasado na sa House Committee on Government Reorganization ang isinusulong nating [ICAIC] Act (The ICAIC Act that we are pushing has already passed in the House Committee on Government Reorganization)," De Lima said in a Facebook post, in reference to the TWG approval.

"Sa ilalim ng panukalang ito, isinusulong natin ang mas transparent, mas may ngipin at tunay na independent commission na mag-iimbestiga sa mga maanomalyang flood control at iba pang mga proyekto ng gobyerno," said the lady solon, one of the measure's principal authors.

(Under this proposed measure, we are pushing for a more transparent, more empowered, and truly independent commission that will investigate anomalous flood control and other government projects.)

The main rationale for the proposed ICAIC is to strengthen the Palace-created Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which some House members say isn't doing enough as far as getting to the bottom of the flood control project corruption controversy is concerned.

"Ang patuloy nating panawagan kay Pangulong Marcos Jr.: I-certify ang panukalang batas na ito as urgent para agaran na itong maisabatas! Hindi tayo titigil hangga’t hindi natutugis ang sindikato, natutuldukan ang sabwatan at napapakulong ang mga magnanakaw sa gobyerno," De Lima said.

(Our continuing call to President Marcos Jr.: Certify this proposed law as urgent so that it can be enacted immediately! We will not stop until the syndicate is pursued, the collusion is ended, and the thieves in government are imprisoned.)

Erice, for his part, gave this reaction to the TWG approval: "Isang malaking hakbang upang putulin ang korapsyon at mapanagot ang mga nag abuso sa kaban ng bayan! (A big step toward halting corruption and holding accountable those who abused the nation’s treasury!)"

The "mother committee" or government reorganization panel chaired by Bulacan 6th district Rep. Salvador Pleyto needs to give its nod to the TWG-approved bill, before it can be endorsed to the plenary.

The proposed ICAIC will be comprised of five members, none of whom shall be incumbent government officials. The chairperson will be a retired justice of the Supreme Court (SC), an engineer or architect with not less than 20 years of experience in infrastructure projects, a certified public accountant with not less than 20 years of experience, and a representative from the academe and a reputable non-government organization.

Their respective terms will expire on Dec. 31, 2028, unless revoked earlier.

Among the powers granted to the ICAIC is to conduct motu proprio investigation, full and unrestricted access to all government records, subpoena duces tecum and subpoena ad testificandum, issue hold departure order, freeze recover and sequester or attach all properties involved in misuse of funds, and order preventive suspension of involved government officials and employees.

Those cited in contempt for refusal to obey a lawful order will be meted with up to 30 days imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than P100,000. Under the bill, no criminal or civil action shall be filed against the members of the ICAIC in the discharge of their duties.

The bill also says that the investigation or hearing shall be held in public or open to the media and will be livestreamed.