CBCP: Uphold integrity of flood probe

CATHOLIC BISHOPS in the country on Monday called on public officials to uphold the integrity of the current investigations into the multi-billion-peso corruption scandal involving flood control projects.

“The Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) was created precisely to restore public trust. It must be empowered to investigate fully and freely, without political interference from any branch of government,” the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said in a statement.

The CBCP also called on the investigative body to mandate transparency in its proceedings, findings, and recommendations, including allowing public access to all documents and witnesses, as well as disclosure of funds tied to anomalous infrastructure projects.

They also asked for the protection of “whistleblowers and technical personnel who come forward in good faith.”

The CBCP also warned that any attempt to change the Senate leadership may only heighten public suspicions of a cover up.

“We strongly oppose any attempt to pre-empt or derail the investigation through backroom deals, leadership takeovers, or selective justice. A nation cannot heal when its moral arteries are clogged by corruption and self-interest,” it added.

In a separate new briefing, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto II said that he has no idea what started the rumors of another Senate coup.

“I don’t see it coming from anywhere. In fact, I spoke with (Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter S. Cayetano), he himself told me he was not talking with anyone,” the Senate chief told reporters.

The government has been facing public outrage over anomalous flood control projects, where about P500 billion has been poured into since 2022. Separate investigations by the two houses of Congress have revealed the involvement of lawmakers and government officials in the multi-billion-peso scheme. — Adrian H. Halili