Manila, Sept. 16 -- Malacanang said Tuesday the proposed grant of contempt powers to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is a welcome measure to strengthen the commission's ability to enforce its directives.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued the statement, acknowledging, however, that the proposal is not necessary since the ICI was created by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as a fact-finding body tasked with investigating anomalous flood control projects.

"Ang sabi po ng Pangulo, ito'y fact-finding commission. So, hindi po kinakailangan talaga po na magkaroon ng power na mag-punish doon sa mga taong hindi dadalo (The President said that this is a fact-finding commission. So, it is really not necessary to have t...