Lacson: Let Pinoys report other corrupt infrastructure projects

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos needs to expand the citizens’ reporting website for flood control to cover all infrastructure projects, as part of efforts to boost transparency in public spending, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said yesterday.

The senator made the appeal as he welcomed the widened mandate of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which will now scrutinize all infrastructure projects and not just those involving flood control.

“The expanded coverage of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to include all infrastructure projects, and not just flood control projects, is a most welcome development,” Lacson said in a statement.

“In like manner, I hope the scope of the sumbongsapangulo.ph website will likewise be expanded by not limiting its coverage to flood control projects only,” he said.

Lacson suggested that the website could be made more useful to taxpayers if it included information on funding for all infrastructure projects across government agencies, from the National Expenditure Program to the General Appropriations Act, as well as the identities of the proponents of congressional amendments or insertions.

“And yes, complete with geotagging, please,” Lacson added.

He earlier credited the website for helping his team track down the exact locations of flood control projects, especially ghost projects.

“This will maximize transparency every step of the way, not to mention public participation in monitoring where and how our taxes are being spent,” Lacson said.

He also noted that bills have been filed in both chambers of Congress to institutionalize the ICI, patterned after the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong and the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau of Singapore.

Quezon City backs Magalong

The Quezon City government yesterday expressed support to the designation of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as special adviser and investigator of the ICI.

“Mayor Magalong has long been a staunch advocate of truth and good governance,” the city government said in a statement.

“As one of the convenors of Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG), he has consistently shown courage in exposing irregularities and determination in pushing for reforms that genuinely serve the public,” it added.

Like Magalong, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte is also a convenor of M4GG, a group of local chief executives advocating for good governance and accountability of public officials.

However, labor coalition NAGKAISA yesterday expressed concern over Magalong’s designation.

While it welcomed the appointment of former public works secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV & Co. managing partner Rossana Fajardo to the ICI, NAGKAISA said Magalong cannot focus on the task without conflict.

“Mayor Magalong has the fire in his belly, and he can make a real difference in this investigation. However, the role must be clear: either he is appointed as the full-time investigator of the ICI or he serves only as an adviser or consultant, not as a presidentially designated investigator while still being mayor. Anything less will make the probe look like a half-hearted initiative – good in form but weak in substance,” Sonny Matula, NAGKAISA president, pointed out. — Janvic Mateo, Mayen Jaymalin