The House of Representatives is set to expedite the passage of two bills aimed at granting additional powers to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which investigates anomalies in flood control projects, as reported by RH Milky Rigonan.

Bulacan Rep. Salvador Pleyto, chairman of the House Committee on Reorganization, said he has been tasked by House Speaker Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III to push the measures forward.

A committee hearing is scheduled for November 11, and Pleyto expressed confidence that lawmakers will support the bills to bolster efforts against corruption.

Among the new powers proposed for the ICI are contempt and subpoena authority, the ability to issue hold departure orders, and direct filing of cases with the Sandiganbayan.

The committee held a technical briefing earlier despite the absence of the House Secretariat. The session discussed House Bill 4453, filed by Rep. Leila de Lima of the Mamamayang Liberal Party-list and House Bill 5699, authored by Rep. Toby Tiangco of Navotas.

Pleyto explained that Speaker Dy aims for the bills to be approved by November 17, in line with the recommendation for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to certify them as urgent.