The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Tracy Cabrera
INTRAMUROS, Manila — The Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) has asked the Department of Justice (DoJ) to issue ‘lookout’ bulletin orders against former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, ex-Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, Senator Jose ‘Jinggoy Estrada’ Ejercito Jr. and others linked in the flood control scandal.
Among the others the ICI requested for a similar order include former senators Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. and Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay-Angeles, who is now mayor of Makati City.
According to the ICI, the timely issuance of such an order is needed to avoid any delays in the Commission’s investigation of alleged corruption in government projects.
Meanwhile, Malacañan press officer Clarissa ‘Claire’ Castro-Seechung announced that it would let the ICI decide whether or not its hearings on the flood control anomalies would be made public. This was in reaction to calls made by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) for more transparency in the investigation.
A similar call came from former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio who stated it would be with the best interest if the probe is made public in order to restore what is seen as the people’s waning trust in the Commission and the administration as well.
Despite the doubts, Castro stressed that the President wants transparency in all the investigations, but she added that it is up to the Commission to decide on the issue. The fact-finding body earlier maintained that it will not livestream or open to the public its hearings to avoid a trial by publicity.