00:00The Independent Commission for Infrastructure, or the ICI, has a response to the camp of former Representative Zaldi Koh.
00:07This comes after they question ICI's recommendation to file charges against Koh regarding the flood control scam.
00:14Our Harley Valbuena reports.
00:17The Independent Commission for Infrastructure, or ICI, stands firm that the recommendations before the Ombudsman
00:25to file charges against resigned Representative Zaldi Koh over anomalous flood control projects
00:32were all based on thorough investigation and gathering of evidence and testimonies.
00:38ICI issued such statement after Koh's lawyer insisted that no evidence will prove that his client has committed crime
00:46and therefore should not face any case.
00:49We are, in fact, acting on the basis of our investigation, on the basis of the testimonies, and on the basis of the evidence given to us.
01:02In an interim report submitted by the ICI to the Ombudsman,
01:06Koh is said to be allegedly receiving commissions for every project he proposes under the national budget
01:13and the cash was delivered to a parking lot of a high-end hotel in Taguig City
01:18where Koh is said to own a penthouse and in his mansion in Pasig City.
01:24Meanwhile, Koh's lawyer insisted that those projects were not congressional insertions
01:29but were already a part of the national expenditure program prepared by the executive department.
01:36Budget Secretary Amena Pangandaman says the composition of NEP is based on the proposal of respective agencies
01:42and she added it is better to ask the Department of Public Works and Highways regarding the ghost projects.
01:50Koh's legal counsel also claimed that his client cannot return to the country yet
01:54because he has been receiving the threats.
01:57He also said Koh does not own any aircraft
02:00but the ICI said these are all common statements as a defense of a lawyer regarding his client.
02:07On the other hand, the ICI also announced that based on the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,
02:14DBM approved the release of over 41 million pesos as the budget of the commission for the entire year.
02:22The fund will be sourced from the 2025 Contingent Fund.
02:26Also approved is the creation of 172 contractual positions within the commission, including posts for lawyers.
02:34This approved budget covers the ICI's operational requirements and capital outlay until the end of 2025.
02:44This approvals will definitely enable the commission to now efficiently and effectively
02:52carry out its core mandate and functions under Executive Order 94.
02:58Harley Valbena from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
