Even with the departure of two commissioners, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has vowed to ensure that its work continues.
Former Transportation Secretary Rogelio Singson tendered his resignation from the commission on 4 December, followed by Commissioner Rossana A. Fajardo on 26 December.
In a statement released on 26 December, ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka addressed the commissioners’ exit, saying Fajardo’s resignation “comes at a natural point in the Commission’s work.”
The statement did not elaborate on Singson’s departure, though it was earlier disclosed that he resigned due to stress brought about by the work.
The commission highlighted that since its establishment, it has filed eight referrals and cases with the Office of the Ombudsman, excluding joint referrals with the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The ICI also reported initiating cooperation with the Anti-Money Laundering Council and other government agencies to recover ill-gotten funds. To date, more than P20.3 billion in assets have been frozen, including 6,538 bank accounts, 367 insurance policies, 255 motor vehicles, 178 real properties, 16 e-wallet accounts, three securities accounts, and 11 air assets such as planes and helicopters.
The commission assured the public that accountability efforts will continue as it finalizes remaining submissions to the Ombudsman, with more cases expected to be filed in court.
The statement also outlined key reform recommendations to prevent future infrastructure irregularities, including tighter inter-agency coordination, transparency in the budget process, suspension of payments for questionable projects, contractor blacklisting, strengthened whistleblower protection, public livestreaming of hearings, and the creation of permanent independent anti-corruption bodies to carry the work forward beyond the ICI’s mandate.