After drawing attention to alleged multi-billion-peso irregularities in flood control projects, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is now shifting his focus to economic recovery, leaving the investigation of the controversy to the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“Before, the President was firm in saying that all involved in the flood control should be held accountable. The probe should be shouldered by the Independent Commission and Infrastructure (ICI). Documents should be scrutinized, and those who should be filed with complaints are up to the DPWH. The Ombudsman should continue the investigation, as well as the Department of Justice. But what the President wants right now is to focus on how to lift the economy,” Palace press officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a media briefing at Malacañang Palace.

“Let probers investigate the flood control projects. If there are cases filed, then we are letting the court and the Sandiganbayan try them,” she added.

Castro, however, stressed that this does not mean the President has lost interest in the flood control controversy.

“Definitely interested po siya kaya nga niya ito ibinigay ang kapangyarihan sa ICI bilang independent body upang matutukan ang pag-iimbestiga rito. Pati po sa DPWH, hindi po tumitigil ang DPWH na panagutin na ang dapat managot,” she said.

ICI’s fate still hangs

Asked about the future of the ICI, Castro said the President would defer to the commission’s own decisions, including whether to appoint additional commissioners, emphasizing that it remains an independent body.

“Ang sabi po niya, ang ICI daw po ay isang independent body independent commission. Kung ano po ang magiging desisyon ng ICI, iyon po ang maaaring maging tugon ng Pangulo. Kung kinakailangan nila ng tulong sa executive, ibibigay po. Pero kung ano po ang magiging destiny ng ICI, kung ano ang magiging susunod na mga galaw nila, iyan po ay ipinauubaya ng Pangulo sa ICI bilang independent commission,” Castro said.

The ICI was formed on 11 September 2025 as a fact-finding body mandated to investigate alleged corruption, irregularities, and misuse of funds in government flood control and related projects over the past 10 years, amid growing public concern.

Earlier, ICI Special Adviser and retired police general Rodolfo Azurin said it would be up to the President whether to extend or terminate the commission’s mandate to probe anomalous infrastructure projects.

Castro said there remains uncertainty over whether the ICI can appoint additional commissioners to continue its work.

At present, the commission is composed of Andres Reyes Jr. as chairperson, Brian Keith Hosaka as executive director, and Azurin as special adviser and investigator.

“Hindi ko po alam kung papaano nila gagawin pero bilang independent body, I think, maaari naman silang kumuha kung sinong mga tauhan ang puwede nilang gawin or kunin. May chairman naman po sila. Kung ano po ang nais po ng ICI according to the President, kung ano ang nais nilang gawin at kung gusto pa nilang magpatuloy sabihin lamang nila sa Pangulo at susuportahan sila. So, ang magiging desisyon nila doon lang po ang Pangulo,” she said.

Azurin earlier said the commission is awaiting guidance from the Office of the President on the duration of its mandate but would continue its work in the meantime.

“So, siguro po mas maganda kung makakapagbigay sila nang complete report patungkol sa kanilang natapos para po mapag-usapan kung ano pa po talaga ang gusto ng ICI,” Castro said.