Phnom penh: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will announce within two days the members and powers of the independent commission that will investigate flood control anomalies, with subpoena authority among the tools being considered. 'Within the next 48 hours, I will already announce the powers that we are granting to the independent commission and the members of the independent commission,' Marcos told reporters in Phnom Penh Tuesday, as he concluded his state visit to Cambodia.

According to Philippines News Agency, the President declined to hint at possible members, noting that premature disclosures would trigger speculation. 'Mag-a-announce ako buo (I will announce them in full). All the powers and authority of the independent commission that we have agreed upon and the membership of that commission,' he said.

Marcos clarified that the commission is being designed as a fact-finding body, not a judicial one. 'This is an investigative commission. So, they are not there to actually mete out punishment. They are there to find out the facts. Kung ano ang findings nila, eh dadalhin ngayon nila sa DOJ [Department of Justice], dadalhin nila sa Ombudsman o kung saan (Whatever their findings are, they will now take them to the DOJ, they will take them to the Ombudsman or wherever),' he explained.

On the question of authority, Marcos noted that there is broad agreement to grant subpoena powers to compel testimony and documents. 'They need to have subpoena powers para makatawag sila ng witness (to summon witnesses),' he said. He added there were proposals to include contempt powers against non-appearing or lying witnesses, but emphasized this may be beyond the commission's intended role.

The President earlier stated that the panel will probe alleged anomalies involving the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other officials implicated in corruption. 'We have to be very, very clear that the independent commission is in fact independent,' he stressed.

Embattled couple Pacifico 'Curlee' and Cezarah Rowena 'Sarah' Discaya admitted to irregular dealings with contractors and alleged links to some legislators whom they identified under oath during a legislative inquiry.