Erice: Credibility-short ICI’s work unfinished

Erice: Credibility-short ICI’s work unfinished | Daily Tribune

The work of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) was far from completed, contrary to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s claim but the body has practically lost its credibility, Caloocan City 2nd District Representative and Senior Deputy Minority Leader Edgar Erice said on Tuesday.

Erice described the President’s statement as “the height of insincerity” and “an insult to the intelligence of Filipinos,” calling it misleading. He said the ICI has not even accomplished 10 percent of its mandate.

Under the executive order issued by Marcos, the ICI was tasked with investigating tens of thousands of projects from 2016 to 2025, examining how weaknesses in the national budget process enabled the massive misuse of public funds, and recommending reforms to prevent further abuses.

Erice said the commission had fallen short of its mandate following the resignation of two of its three members; its own admission before Congress that it lacked resources and powers; and its failure to probe the most crucial figures involved in the public works and budget anomalies.

“Any report produced under these conditions will lack credibility and public trust,” he said.

He also expressed concern over the administration’s seeming inclination to shift the responsibility for investigation to other institutions rather than a truly independent commission with full authority, adequate resources, and members of unquestioned integrity.

“The Filipino people have the right to know the truth,” Erice said. “The only honorable path forward is transparency, accountability, and genuine reform — not premature declarations that an unfinished and compromised process is already ‘completed.’”

He called on the public to remain vigilant and continue to demand the truth and justice, saying that meaningful political reforms are the only legacy the current administration could leave behind.

Palace hits back

Meanwhile, Malacañang on Tuesday pushed back on the claims the ICI was merely for show in order to protect allies of the President, saying its critics should provide evidence.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro challenged Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago — who had criticized the ICI as a “front to shield administration allies” — asking, “Shouldn’t she be the one to provide evidence?”

Castro also pointed to the recent surrender to the Sandiganbayan of former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla who was tagged in the flood control project anomalies as an example of due process being followed. She said ICI personnel have been working around the clock to review a large volume of documents and evidence.

“They are inventing baseless stories to discredit the government,” Castro said, stressing that the ICI was not intended to cover up for anyone.

The President “does not spare allies, relatives, or friends” when it comes to investigations, she said.