The delay might allow the softening or removal of certain findings, possibly to shield implicated officials, political allies, even figures close to the administration.
A MEMBER of the Working People Against Corruption, a coalition of workers’ groups and unions, joins a Black Friday protest along Recto Avenue, calling for higher wages and accountability for alleged government corruption.
Photograph by toto lozano for DAILY TRIBUNE
The Palace is unsure about making the controversial Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) report public, saying only that it might be released this month, without giving a definite date.
“Most likely within February we will already know, based on what we understand. However, I am not saying that this will be the definitive signal of what the President’s decision will be, only that, to my knowledge, there will probably be something by February,” was Palace Press Officer Claire Castro’s muddled reply to the question on when it will be released.
Amid speculation the report is being “sanitized,” the ICI indicated that it had submitted nine referrals for prosecution or further investigation to the Ombudsman, covering 64 individuals, and coordinated the referral of another 66 individuals to the Department of Justice (DoJ).
The delay might allow the softening or removal of certain findings, possibly to shield implicated officials, political allies, or even figures close to the administration.
The probe covers flood control project irregularities from the past decade, with billions in questioned funds and referrals already made to the Ombudsman involving 65 individuals.
The ICI faced challenges such as the resignation of two commissioners and other officials that led to quorum issues, limited resources and questions about its authority, which some viewed as intended to undermine it.
Public frustration over the perceived slow progress of the investigation and the absence of high-profile suspects despite the strong evidence, fueled theories that sensitive parts of the report would be toned down before its release.
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee discussions, as reflected in draft reports recommending charges against senators like Escudero, Estrada and Villanueva, revealed political tensions, with attempts to alter or block findings, mirroring distrust that the executive branch might do the same.
Report in Marcos’ hands
On 6 February, the ICI submitted to Malacañang its 125-day accomplishment report covering the period from 15 September 2025 to 18 January 2026.
In a television interview on Thursday, ICI chairperson, retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr., said the body could have done more if it were intact, and will do its task of investigating and referring cases related to the flood control scandal and fighting corruption to the very end, if it is allowed to do so.
Castro said, “There has been no gap in the work. The ICI continues to carry out its duties and has already submitted a report. According to the Ombudsman, the investigation is also ongoing.”
She said the ICI had forwarded numerous documents to the Ombudsman and the DoJ.
“So what we should await is the outcome, particularly whether additional cases will be filed,” Castro said, reacting to Andres’ pronouncement.
