Marcos names Babes Singson, SGV's Fajardo as independent commission members

Malacañang on Saturday revealed several members of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which will investigate anomalous flood control projects. 

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro disclosed this during a press conference with Palace reporters. Assigned as commission members are former Public Works secretary Rogelio "Babes" Singson and Rossana Fajardo, country managing partner at auditing firm SGV and Co.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, meanwhile, will serve as special adviser and investigator for the ICI.

However, the chairperson of the independent committee was not named yet. Castro said Marcos would announce the chairperson in the coming days. 

''To lead this task, the President has appointed individuals of proven competence, integrity, and deep familiarity with infrastructure, finance and institutional reform. Rogelio 'Babes' Singson, Commission Member – Mr. Singson brings decades of direct experience in both the planning and execution of major government infrastructure projects,'' Castro said.

"Rossana A. Fajardo, Commission Member – Ms. Fajardo is a Certified Public Accountant and currently the country managing partner of SGV and Company, the Philippines’ largest professional services firm. She has over three decades of experience in auditing, internet controls and risk management especially in identifying weaknesses in financial systems and operational processes,'' she added.

Magalong's role

As for Magalong, Castro said he has handled sensitive, high-impact investigations and helped lead institutional reforms in law enforcement through intelligence given forensic based approaches.

''As Mayor of Baguio City, he has continued to apply his strict standards of transparency and accountability in local governance. His experience in leading difficult investigations, uncovering internal wrongdoing and enforcing compliance makes him a strong asset to this commission,'' she said. 

Through President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos' Executive Order No. 94, a three-man team is tasked to investigate and evaluate evidence, intelligence reports, and information, against all government officials and employees, as well as any other individual, involved in anomalies, irregularities, and misuse of funds in the planning, financing, and implementation of government flood control and other infrastructure projects across the country.

According to Castro, the named individuals voluntarily accepted the positions in the commission, noting that their experiences will speak for themselves. 

''Boluntaryo ang pagtanggap nila sa tungkulin na ito. Hindi sila hinihirang para ipagtanggol ang sistema kung hindi para harapin ito. Bawat isa sa kanila ay may mahabang karanasan sa pagtukoy ng mga problema sa loob ng mga institusyon at sa pagpapatupad ng mga reporma sa malalaking organisasyon,'' she said. 

2 members, 1 investigator

Singson served as the DPWH chief from July 2010 to June 2016 under the administration of the late Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Last August, Singson admitted receiving feelers from Malacañang offering him to return at the helm of DPWH. At the time, Manuel Bonoan was still the incumbent DPWH secretary and had been faced with questions on whether or not he should take a leave amid the controversy.

Coming in from the private sector is Fajardo, who assumed the top leadership role at SGV on July 1 or less than three months ago.

According to SGV, Fajardo's corporate role is to lead the auditing firm's strategic initiatives aimed at driving transformational and sustainable growth.

No politicians

Marcos has said there would be no politicians in the commission.

Magalong, a former police general and currently on his third term as Baguio City mayor, has spoken about alleged anomalies in flood control and infrastructure projects. Malacañang had earlier requested Magalong to submit his information on the alleged anomalies to Marcos.

Asked why Magalong was picked even though he is a politician, Castro explained that his role is just special adviser. 

''Ang magiging papel po ni Mayor Benjie Magalong ay special advisor. Hindi po siya kasama doon mismo sa three-member commission at malaking magiging tulong din naman po kung ano po ang nalalaman ni Mayor Benjie Magalong, so bigyan po natin siya ng pagkakataon,'' Castro said.

''At ang pagkakataong po ito ay dapat niyang ipakita sa taumbayan para mapagsilbihan kung anong interes ng taumbayan,'' she added.

Timeline

Asked about the timeline of the probe, Castro said there is no definite timetable, but added that it would be better if the investigation would be finished in just a few months. 

''Wala pong masasabi agad na timeline. Ang pinaka-timeline dito ay mas agaran o mas mabilisang pagtatrabaho. At mas mainam po matapos po ito sa loob lamang ng ilang buwan,'' she said.

''Pero sabi nga po natin, sa dami po ng records na dapat aralin ay bigyan po natin ng pagkakataon ang ICI na aralin lahat ang mga dokumento para po kapag po may sinampahang kaso ay kumpleto naman po ang mga dokumento,'' she added. 

To recall, Marcos' EO stated that the ICI shall prioritize the investigation of flood control and other infrastructure projects within the last ten years from the effectivity of the order. — VDV, GMA Integrated News