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January 17, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Four months after its creation to probe the multibillion-peso flood control scandal and other public works projects, the work of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is “coming toward the end,” according to President Marcos.
Marcos spoke yesterday on the fate of the ICI, now left with only one commissioner, retired Supreme Court associate justice Andres Reyes Jr.
The other two ICI commissioners – former public works secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV and Co. country managing partner Rossana Fajardo – have resigned.
Asked in a chance interview in Mandaluyong about his plans for the ICI, Marcos replied: “It depends on how much work they still have left. If their work is finished, then we will see what they can do next.”
“But they really are coming toward the end. Everything that needs to be investigated, they have already investigated. Maybe there are one or two other loose ends that they have to clear up,” he said.
Asked whether he would appoint new commissioners to the body, Marcos said: “We haven’t really decided on that yet.”
“Again, it all depends on the work that ICI still has in front of them. If needed, then we will,” Marcos said.
“But if the work is done, if all information has been provided to the DOJ (Department of Justice) and the ombudsman, then the focus now of the investigation will go to the DOJ and the ombudsman,” the Chief Executive said.
Marcos created the ICI through Executive Order No. 94 on Sept. 11 last year to investigate flood control and related projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the last 10 years.
The ICI was tasked to recommend appropriate charges against government officials, employees, or individuals involved in the misuse of public funds.
Malacañang earlier said it does not see the vacancies in the ICI as a hindrance for recommending charges against those behind the flood control scam as the public is still waiting for “big fish” to be questioned or even prosecuted.
Aside from Reyes, former police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. and lawyer Brian Keith Hosaka still work as its special adviser and executive director, respectively.
Summary of accomplishments
The ICI is already summarizing its “accomplishments” in a report to be submitted to the Office of the President as the commission’s fate hangs in the balance.
On Friday, President Marcos gave mixed signals about what’s to become of the commission he himself conceived. While he said the ICI’s fate depends on its remaining workload, he acknowledged that “they really are coming toward the end.”
With the President’s latest pronouncements, the ICI now says it is preparing a report of its “accomplishments,” which include the eight case referrals, freezing over P20 billion in assets and recommendations on budget processes.
“These accomplishments will be consolidated in a report currently being prepared by the commission, summarizing its work and key actions from its establishment on Sept. 11, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2025. The report will be submitted to the Office of the President for its consideration in determining the next steps for the commission,” the ICI said.
“In the meantime, the commission continues to process, organize, document, and safeguard all records and evidence in its custody,” it added.
ICI just an intermission number – De Lima
The Marcos government just used the ICI as an “intermission number” without an aim to finish the investigation that it has started on the flood control anomaly, House deputy minority leader and ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said yesterday.
“If at this early, they are already thinking of disbanding the ICI, they should not have put the words upon the accomplishment of the purposes for which it was created. They should have put when the President wants it closed. The ICI appeared to just be an intermission number where exception is the general rule for livestreaming,” De Lima said.
For his part, Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña said the ICI is already in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and going to the “morgue.”
“Instead of giving it additional powers to fulfill its mandate, it was given a due date by the President,” Cendaña said. “If this is his assessment then it also casts doubt as to his sincerity when he said the ICAIC Bill is a priority of his administration.” — Janvic Mateo, EJ Macababbad, Jose Rodel Clapano
