The Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) selective investigations in the flood control scandal are very blatant because only those who show up are investigated, a House official has noted.

“Those who should be summoned are not being summoned. For example, former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, former Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin and former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman were not called to testify. They’re the ones who know about the three-year manipulation of the budget,” according to House Deputy Minority Leader and Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice.

Erice, in an online briefing to reporters, said the three Palace personalities were aware of Malacañang’s transfer of the P60-billion Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and the P107-billion Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. reserves “to flood control (projects)” while more than P300 billion allocated for equity in foreign-assisted projects were placed in unprogrammed appropriations that resulted in delays in the implementation of the Metro Manila Subway, the elevated rail system, and many other projects.

Projects that had long been planned were suddenly put in the UA, which amounted to about P1.45 trillion over three years.

“That’s really the problem. That’s what isn’t being discussed. Because that’s unprecedented, never has any administration removed that large an amount. That’s where all the problems began,” Erice said.

Erice questioned the ICI’s proceedings, saying, “Very important people who should testify are not being summoned. There’s no transparency as we don’t know what they’re discussing.”

“Third, the ICI is not truly independent because the President created it. Its funding comes from the Office of the President. And most importantly, its personnel, the commissioners themselves, have no control because they’re under the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation,” he said.

The House leader added that he does not believe that ICI Commissioner Rogelio Singson resigned due to health reasons.

“I know him. He is tough. And I believe he has a deep commitment to helping the nation. I don’t know, but he really expressed to me his frustrations with the ICI’s shortcomings,” he said.

He added that unless the government comes clean on the corruption, the current problems will not be resolved, “and those affected will be our poorest countrymen.”

The narrative of Malacañang keeps changing, Erice pointed out.

“They said — when former Congressman Zaldy Co said the President was involved — Senator Ping Lacson said the President wasn’t involved and only the Cabinet was involved,” he said.

“Then their spokesperson, Undersecretary Claire Castro, said Bersamin resigned out of delicadeza. But Bersamin subsequently said, ‘I didn’t resign, I was removed — I was just informed by someone,’” Erice said.

“So the Palace’s credibility keeps shifting, and the narrative keeps changing, which makes this even more suspicious.”

At long last, ICI gets budget

Malacañang clarified that the ICI has received its P41-million 2025 budget, amid questions about funding for the newly established investigative body.

Castro said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the ICI’s initial funding in September.

“According to the DBM, the SARO for the budget was approved as early as September,” Castro told reporters during a Palace briefing.

She acknowledged there were delays in implementing the budget due to adjustments in the Modified Disbursement System, but confirmed that the funds were now available to the ICI.

“The only unusual thing, perhaps, was a slight delay in the implementation and in the modified disbursement system. But now, we can say the funds are already with them,” she said.

The funding issue was also raised by Singson.

ICI lifeline not cut

Until President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dissolves the ICI, it will continue to discharge its functions, ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka said.

Hosaka issued the statement after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla claimed the body may have only one or two months left before it ceases operations.

The ICI official said the commission’s tenure is bound by the mandate outlined in Executive Order 94.

In a message, Hosaka said the commission will remain in place and continue its functions until it completes its mandate, or the President dissolves it.

Remulla said he expects the commission to wrap up its initial findings soon and forward them to his office for further action.

“I think one or two months and their functions will be turned over to us (Office of the Ombudsman),” Remulla said.

Two separate petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of Executive Order 94.

Malacañang, meanwhile, said that the ICI is meant to be a fact-finding body.

Castro said the ICI’s purpose is to concentrate on the investigations and documents gathering for the Ombudsman or the Department of Justice.

Despite repeated calls to certify proposed measures in Congress and to fully institute the ICI as an independent body, Castro said Malacañang will wait for Congress’ decision.

“As far as we know, it seems to have been completed and is now on third reading in the Senate,” she said.

WITH Richbon Quevedo and Lade Jean Kabagani