ICIs Push for Restitution Goes Beyond Prosecution
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is doubling down on its mandate to recover assets linked to anomalous flood control projects, signaling a shift from solely pursuing criminal charges to restoring what was misused or stolen from the Filipino people. In a high-stakes meeting at the ICI headquarters, Chairman Andres Reyes Jr. underscored that while prosecutions may hold wrongdoers to account, restitution is essential to reallocate funds toward essential public services.
Reyes, a former Supreme Court justice, framed restitution as more than repayment of losses: it is the act of “making good or giving equivalent for any loss, damage or injury” and ensuring indemnification. He stressed that governments and agencies must band together to locate, seize, and return assets that were diverted from schools, hospitals, roads, and other critical infrastructure.
“All those persons responsible for this may be prosecuted and jailed. But to completely heal our nation, justice is not enough. We need restitution,” Reyes said, echoing the ICI’s broader objective of repairing the public trust and the nation’s infrastructure landscape.
Evidence Mounts Against the Discaya Couple
The ICI’s special adviser, Rodolfo Azurin Jr., announced that investigators have gathered sufficient evidence to file charges against contractor couple Sarah Discaya and Curlee Discaya for their alleged roles in irregular flood control projects. The probe has identified connections to roughly 1,000 DPWH contracts, a nexus that could translate into multiple criminal cases once fully developed.
Azurin noted that even if the Discayas hesitate to cooperate, the investigation will continue. The panel’s work suggests widespread irregularities in projects tied to the couple, prompting considerations to adjust their status within the government’s protective and investigative structures.
Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka confirmed that the Discayas initially agreed to testify but later invoked their right against self-incrimination. Despite withdrawal of cooperation, the ICI indicated the ongoing inquiry is robust enough to proceed toward formal recommendations to relevant authorities, including the Ombudsman.
All Involved Agencies on Deck for Asset Recovery
The asset recovery meeting drew participants from across the government, including Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, and senior officials from the Justice Department, Anti-Money Laundering Council, BIR, LTO, NBI, and the Presidential Commission on Good Government, with representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines present as well.
Reyes emphasized that the recovery mission resembles a nationwide-state effort to reallocate funds—currently wasted on corruption—toward tangible public goods. The collaboration aims to map, freeze, and eventually disgorge illicitly gained assets, in line with the country’s restitution framework and broader anti-corruption strategy.
The meeting also outlined practical steps for the upcoming weeks, with follow-up coordination to finalize how the asset-recovery drive will operate, set timelines, and estimate the potential amount recoverable. While the scope remains fluid, the consensus is clear: the Filipino people deserve accountability and recompense for stalled development caused by misused funds.
Legal and Policy Implications
Attorneys and policy experts say restitution, if executed effectively, can complement criminal penalties by restoring public assets and deterring future malfeasance. The ICI’s approach reflects a broader trend in governance that ties punishment to restitution, especially in large-scale infrastructure scandals where the damages are measured in billions of pesos and the social costs are borne by communities awaiting essential services.
Observers note that the ongoing case against the Discayas could become a watershed event in how the Philippines handles asset recovery in multi-party infrastructure schemes. The outcome may influence future guidelines on bid manipulation, project oversight, and the treatment of implicated contractors within Witness Protection and related programs.
What Comes Next?
As the ICI continues gathering evidence and coordinating with agencies, the public can expect regular updates on the progress of asset-recovery efforts. The ultimate goal remains clear: to recover stolen public funds, restore faith in government projects, and accelerate critical infrastructure development that improves daily life for Filipinos.
In Reyes’s words, restitution is not a footnote to justice, but a central pillar of national healing and sustainable governance.
