Singson, Fajardo tapped for Marcos’ flood probe body; Magalong named adviser

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September 13, 2025 | 2:21pm

MANILA, Philippines — Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief Babes Singson and SGV country managing partner Rossana Fajardo will serve as commissioners for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), one of the administration’s biggest pushes against corruption in government.

Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong will serve as a special adviser to the body.

“To lead this task, the President has appointed individuals of proven competence, integrity, and deep familiarity with infrastructure, finance, and institutionalized or rather institutional reform,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press conference on Saturday, September 13.

Singson was initially floated as a possible replacement for Manuel Bonoan as DPWH secretary. He also served as public works chief under the late president Benigno Aquino III.

Singson was likewise the chair and president of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

Meanwhile, Fajardo is a certified public accountant with decades of experience in financial auditing and risk management.

Castro said her expertise would be vital in tracking public funds.

Magalong, who had initially denied reports that he would be part of the commission, will serve in an advisory capacity.

While Marcos initially did not want politicians onboard, Castro explained that Magalong is not technically part of the commission.

Marcos has yet to appoint a chair for the ICI.

The president established the ICI through Executive Order 94 following the discovery of several ghost flood control projects. The new commission is mandated to probe and recommend the filing of cases against individuals.

It is vested with powers similar to a Congressional accountability committee, including the authority to conduct investigations, issue subpoenas, and recommend charges against suspects.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address, Marcos slammed corruption in government, specifically in flood control projects. Following a preliminary probe, he revealed that several contractors had cornered P100 billion worth of contracts.

Marcos’ probe into anomalous flood control projects has triggered separate investigations in both chambers of Congress.

Congressional inquiries have yielded more revelations, including alleged kickback schemes involving lawmakers from the House of Representatives and the Senate.

During Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings, the Discaya couple tagged 18 House lawmakers in flood control kickback schemes but did not implicate any senators.

In the House probe, former DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez named Sens. Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada as being involved in kickback schemes.