The Senate remains divided over Senate Bill No. 1512, which seeks to establish the Independent People’s Commission (IPC) to investigate anomalies in government infrastructure projects.
Sixteen senators signed the committee report endorsing the measure, while eight senators withheld their signatures.
Among those who signed were Senators Kiko Pangilinan, Win Gatchalian, Bong Go, Pia Cayetano, Jinggoy Estrada, JV Ejercito, Mark Villar, Erwin Tulfo, Loren Legarda, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, Joel Villanueva, Robinhood Padilla, Ping Lacson, Migz Zubiri, and Tito Sotto.
Meanwhile, Senators Bato Dela Rosa, Imee Marcos, Camille Villar, Lito Lapid, Raffy Tulfo, Rodante Marcoleta, Chiz Escudero, and Alan Peter Cayetano did not sign the report.
Senator Kiko Pangilinan, Chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights and principal sponsor of the bill, emphasized the need for a truly independent IPC that would serve as a “people’s watchdog” to hold accountable those involved in corruption.
The proposed commission would have powers to issue subpoenas, freeze assets, grant witness immunity, blacklist contractors, and deputize law enforcement agencies to aid investigations.
Pangilinan underscored the urgency of passing the measure, citing the responsibility to Filipinos who lost lives, homes, and livelihoods due to severe flooding linked to alleged ghost, substandard, and failed infrastructure projects.