Palace: ICI probe ongoing; no decision yet on commission’s fate

Malacañang on Friday said investigations by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) remain ongoing amid speculation that the body may be dissolved.

Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has yet to decide on the commission’s future and urged it to continue its work in the meantime.

“Sila po ay nag-submit na ng kanilang report at kung ano po ang magiging desisyon po ng pangulo dito, kung dapat pa po bang ituloy o hindi, dapat po silang magpatuloy sa kanilang pag tratrabaho,” Castro said.

ICI Chairperson and former Justice Andres Reyes earlier said during a Manila Overseas Press Club forum that the commission would continue investigating allegedly anomalous flood control projects “if allowed.”

The ICI was created through Executive Order No. 94 on 11 September to conduct in-depth investigations into corruption and irregularities involving government infrastructure projects.

Originally composed of three members — Reyes, Rogelio Singson and Rossana Fajardo — the commission has been reduced to a single member following the resignations of Singson and Fajardo late last year.

Reyes admitted it has been challenging to carry out the commission’s mandate alone but said its work continues.

“We are still functioning, we are still working on this case,” he said.

Castro said the President has yet to issue a definitive directive but expressed optimism that findings from the commission’s nearly 1,000-page report may be released within February.

She also reiterated that there has been no gap in the commission’s operations while awaiting Malacañang’s decision.

“Wala naman po kasi nagiging gap sa pag-tratrabaho, patuloy padin po na nag-tratrabaho ang ICI, nakapag bigay nga po sila ng report at nagtratrabaho din po, ayon din po sa Ombudsman, sila din po ay nagpapatuloy sa kanilang pag-iimbestiga,” Castro said.