Amid the Ongoing Call for Accountability, ICI Chief Speaks on Fight vs. Corruption
ICI – The Independent Commission for Infrastructure affirmed that it is ready to fight corruption “to the very end” if it will be allowed.
Amid the flood control issue in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the creation of an independent commission that will investigate the infrastructure projects funded by the government. His order led to the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.
The ICI was created as a three-member investigative body led by former Justice Andres Reyes Jr. Its two (2) members were former Public Works Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson and CPA Rossana Fajardo.
Malacañang previously stressed that Marcos Jr. will not intervene with the flood control investigation of the independent commission. Following its creation, House Speaker Bojie Dy claimed that the flood control probe is best left in the hands of the ICI while the Senate continued with its investigation.
Several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as well as members of the House of Representatives were tagged in the flood control mess. Some senators and former senators are also accused of alleged flood control corruption.
The ICI had invited several incumbent government officials to its flood control probe. Among those who appeared before the independent commission were former House Speaker and Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez, presidential son and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, senators Chiz Escudero and Joel Villanueva, and former Sen. Grace Poe.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure has recommended the filing of charges against some current and former government officials over the flood control mess. However, following the resignation of two (2) of its members, Singson who resigned last December 3, 2025 and Fajardo who resigned last December 26, 2025, questions about the fate of the commission circulated.
Previously, the ICI submitted a 125-day report to Pres. Bongbong Marcos wherein it listed its achievements. The commission cited the following:
- Nine referrals, covering 65 implicated individuals, submitted to the Ombudsman, one of which was made with the Department of Public Works and Highways
- 66 individuals referred to the Department of Justice for the issuance of Immigration Lookout Bulletin Orders (ILBOs)
- 32 hearings covering 36 witnesses, including 20 legislators and five agency heads
- 16 site inspections nationwide
- 1,173 documents processed
- 6,692 bank accounts of implicated individuals frozen or subjected to freeze orders
- P24.7 billion worth of assets seized, preserved, frozen or surrendered, according to the Anti-Money Laundering Council. This includes 229 vehicles, 394 insurance policies, 161 real properties, 16 e-wallet accounts and 10 air assets
- Eight inter-agency coordination meetings conducted and six legislative sessions attended
- Three hearings livestreamed
Based on a report on GMA News, ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr. said that they are ready to continue the fight against corruption if they will be allowed. He stressed that the corrupt are supposedly very greedy for what they have stolen.
“Masyado silang swapang, too selfish. You don’t need so many houses, you don’t need so many watches, you don’t need so many shoes. You can trust us that we will not abandon our fight against corruption, we will fight to the very end, if allowed,” Reyes said before the Manila Overseas Press Club in Makati City.
Based on the report, Reyes admitted that he hopes to be able to refer more individuals to the Department of Justice (DOJ) but he also acknowledged that he no longer has a member. However, the ICI chairman did not clarify whether he wants new commissioners to be appointed nor if he has spoken with Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Previously, Malacañang spoke on the fate of the ICI as with regards to the side of Pres. Bongbong Marcos.