ICI exec says current composition ideal

To avoid political motives, politicians are out of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Executive Director Atty. Brian Keith Hosaka said.

Hosaka explained that while the ICI supports proposals to further enhance its independence, keeping politicians off the body remains essential to shielding its work from political influence.

His remarks came in response to Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano’s call to include members of the political opposition and religious groups in the ICI, which is investigating alleged flood control anomalies.

The senator argued that such inclusions would ensure that the body, formed by the administration, is not tainted by bias.

“We do not oppose any proposal which will enhance the independence of the ICI, especially if it is through legislation,” Hosaka said in a statement.

However, he stressed the importance of the ICI’s current composition, which does not include any politicians.

“If you look at the current composition of the ICI, no politician is a member. This is ideal since the ICI will be shielded from any political agenda or motive,” he said.

Hosaka added that maintaining this non-political structure is necessary for the commission to effectively fulfill its mandate.

Currently, the ICI is composed of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes, former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, and SGV & Co. Country Managing Partner Rossana Fajardo.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. created the ICI to investigate anomalies in infrastructure projects, particularly those related to flood control.