House pushes private sector participation to curb corruption

MANILA, Philippines — In order to prevent corruption in future government infrastructure projects, the House of Representatives is eyeing legislation that will make private sector inspection of such projects mandatory.

This is just one of the measures the lower chamber is currently studying, according to Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, presiding chairman of the short-lived infrastructure committee.

Other proposals include ensuring legitimate civil society participation in project procurement; ensuring proponent identification and public disclosure in each and every program, activity or project proposed at any and every stage of the budget process: National Expenditure Program, House appropriations committee and subcommittees, Senate finance committee and subcommittees, bicameral conference committee; and ensuring a stronger Independent Commission for Infrastructure, particularly the granting of subpoena and contempt powers.

Last week, the House turned over critical documents it had gathered during the course of its inquiry to the ICI.

“The House infrastructure committee has full faith in the mandate, integrity and competence of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure,” Ridon said.

“We trust that through its work, the ICI will be able to ensure transparency, that it will be able to ensure accountability, and most important of all, that it will be able to ensure justice,” he noted.