MANILA — Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco is pushing to strengthen the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) by granting it broader powers to investigate large-scale anomalies in public works.

In a press conference on Thursday, Tiangco said House Bill No. 5699, which he filed on October 27, aims to transform the ICI into a full-fledged Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC) with real enforcement powers.

“‘Yung bill na fi-nile natin is based doon sa ating observation at sa personal experience natin kung ano ‘yung mga bagay na kailangan nila (ICI) para mas magkaroon sila ng ngipin,” Tiangco said, noting that the proposal was crafted after observing the ICI’s proceedings and identifying gaps that limit its effectiveness.

Under the measure, the ICAIC would have the authority to issue subpoenas, cite in contempt those who ignore summons, and secure assets of individuals suspected of corruption. The reforms seek to address the ICI’s current lack of power to penalize non-compliance and freeze questionable assets pending investigation.

Tiangco clarified that the ICAIC would complement, not duplicate, the work of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman.

“This is to support them kaya nga it’s for a limited time period kasi sa dami ng nakikita nating kaso dito. ‘Pag natapos naman ‘to, na-file na ‘tong mga ‘to, syempre ito’y tulong para mapabilis ang pag-file ng kaso,” he explained.

“Ito’y tutulong lang doon sa Ombudsman at sa DOJ para mas mapabilis natin ‘yung proseso because meron tayong responsibilidad sa mamamayang Pilipino na makita kaagad na seryoso sa imbestigasyong ito dahil ito ‘yung pinakamalaking corruption scandal sa history ng ating bansa,” he added.

Under the bill, the proposed ICAIC would operate for two years and focus on large-scale corruption cases in infrastructure and flood-control projects.

Tiangco expressed hope that the measure would be approved by the House before the Christmas break, calling it a concrete step toward ensuring accountability in public works spending.