Malacañang on Saturday criticized Vice President Sara Z. Duterte for questioning the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), hinting that she might be worried about what the investigation could uncover.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro called it “unfortunate” that officials like Duterte would doubt the ICI, which was established to look into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
“Ang tanong: May kinatatakutan ba siyang mabunyag sa ginagawang pag iimbestiga kaya pilit niyang sinisiraan ng integridad ng ICI?” Castro said.
Duterte earlier questioned the need for the commission, saying the Office of the President could have handled the matter internally using its confidential funds instead of forming a new body.
Castro lamented that Duterte’s remarks hinder the government’s anti-corruption efforts, saying such skepticism does not help in nation-building.
“Kaawa-awa ang taong naturingang public servant, puro haka-haka lang ang sinasabi para makapanira sa gobyerno,” she said.
She also questioned Duterte’s credibility in presenting evidence. “Ano ba ang alam ng Bise Presidente sa pag-present ng mga tunay na ebidensya at hindi mga peke at gawa-gawa lang? Ang mga tahi-tahi nyang kwento ay walang halaga. Hindi na dapat intindihan pa,” Castro added.
Castro assured the public that ICI members are non-politicians, experts in their respective fields, and known for their integrity.