Ex-DPWH-Mimaropa officials question ICI’s due process in Mindoro flood control probe

MANILA — Lawyers of accused ex-Department of Public Works and Highways – Mimaropa officials on Wednesday questioned the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) handling of its investigation into alleged irregularities of the Naujan, Oriental Mindoro road dike project.

During cross-examination at the Sandiganbayan’s trial, Rufino Mantos, former head of the ICI legal division, confirmed that the now-defunct commission completed its investigation within five calendar days of receiving the DPWH referral on Sept. 24.

Mantos said the commission submitted its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman on Sept. 29.

“When we went to the Ombudsman, it was signed then and there,” Mantos said.

Defense lawyers argued that the ICI did not issue a supplemental report after the DPWH submitted additional documents concerning the projects under investigation.

Mantos said he believed the commissioners considered the document an interim report that would be forwarded to the Ombudsman.

Upon being asked why the ICI held a press conference and made the report available to the media without furnishing copies to the accused, Mantos said the decision to hold the press conference was at the discretion of former ICI Executive Director and spokesperson Brian Hosaka.

The prosecution raised an objection to the defense’s question asking Mantos if he believed in due process.

Prosecutors explained that during the fact-finding stage, respondents are not required to submit affidavits, and the ICI has the discretion to subpoena them and request their statements.

“That’s the discretion of the commission and beyond my functions. I advised them to do what’s in the mandate but not require the subpoenas,” Mantos said.

Mantos confirmed that he was aware the ICI had interviewed several DPWH officials, including former Public Works Sec. Manuel Bonoan, former Usec. Roberto Bernardo and the late Usec. Maria Catalina Cabral.

However, he clarified that he did not personally conduct the interviews, although he was present during questioning of DPWH officials invited to the commission.

Associate Justice Corpus-Mañalac noted that Mantos’ role was limited to the collection of documents.