Statement of Malacañang on the Fate of ICI amid the Ongoing Flood Control Probe
MALACAÑANG – The Palace said it is better for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to talk directly to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Amid the supposed flood control corruption in the Philippines, Pres. Bongbong Marcos ordered the creation of an independent commission that will investigate the issue. The executive order led to the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI.
The independent commission has invited several government officials tagged in the flood control issue to its probe. One of those who appeared before the ICI was former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Romualdez stepped down from the House leadership after he was tagged by controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya in the alleged kickback system in the awarding of the state-funded flood control deals. According to him, he wants the ICI to be able to freely and fully exercise its mandate to investigate.
On attending the ICI flood control probe, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez said he’s willing to help speed up the resolution of the issue. He maintained his innocence over the matter. He claimed that he is a “self-made” man and he has allegedly never corrupted the people’s money.
Amid the ongoing flood control probe, two members of the three-member investigative body led by former Supreme Court Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. resigned from their positions. It sparked speculations that the commission might soon be dissolved.
Previously, Pres. Bongbong Marcos said that the work of the ICI is coming to an end. According to him, the commission has already investigated all that it wants to probe.
“It depends on how much work they still have left. We will still what they can do next. But they really are coming to the end. Lahat ng kailangang imbestigahan na imbestigahan na nila. Maybe there are one or two other loose ends that they want to clear out,” the President said.
Recently, Malacañang was asked about the fate of the ICI. According to Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro, it is better for the commission to talk directly to Pres. Bongbong Marcos. She stressed that the President does not want to meddle with the work of the commission.
Furthermore, the Malacañang official also claimed that the ICI might give their suggestions to Marcos Jr. According to Castro, they still have no information if the commission has already submitted a report.
“Mas maganda po siguro kung makikipag-usap silang diretso sa Pangulo kasi po ngayon po ayaw po talagang makialam ng Pangulo sa ginagawa ng ICI kasi independent body po sila. Kung anuman po ang kanilang suhestiyon maaari po nila itong ibigay sa Pangulo,” the Malacañang official said.
With regards to the flood control scam, the Senate has continued its investigation despite the creation of the ICI. Based on a report on GMA News, Senate Pres. Tito Sotto recently clarified that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s report on the flood control investigation is “not an official report”.
“Because it’s not an official report. The official one will be discussed tomorrow… Kaya nag-withdraw ‘yung nag-sign eh draft for discussion pa lang ‘yan,” Sotto said.
Based on the report, three (3) senators withdrew their signatures from a supposed draft report of the Blue Ribbon Committee. According to the Senate President, source of the alleged leaked draft is “too eager” and “embarrassing”.
Previously, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima reacted to statement of Marcos Jr. on the ICI.