Protest heat bears down on ICI

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Monday acknowledged the demands of those who joined the 30 November Trillion Peso March, where protesters called for accountability in the flood control scandal and the jailing of officials allegedly involved.

ICI Commissioner Rogelio “Babes” Singson said the clamor for prosecution remains strong but noted that legal processes must be observed. 

He said the commission is now coordinating with multiple agencies to trace and seize assets believed to have been acquired through anomalous flood control projects.

The ICI has formed a Technical Working Group (TWG) tasked with asset recovery. The TWG met for the third time on Monday, with Singson presiding in the absence of ICI Chair Andres Reyes Jr. 

Participating agencies include the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Philippine National Police, Anti-Money Laundering Council, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Council, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the Department of Justice.

Singson said the TWG must now move beyond coordination to concrete actions, emphasizing that results and not statements will determine whether the commission retains public trust. 

He said the public expects visible progress, not another round of briefings.

The commissioners reiterated that the investigation will require full cooperation from government agencies and that no asset allegedly tied to the flood control schemes should remain beyond reach.

Among those present at the meeting were AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and ICI special adviser retired Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr.