ICI starts probe into flood control anomalies

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Friday opened its investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects

GMA Integrated News reporter Joseph Morong said members of the ICI led by retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr. arrived early for the commission’s first hearing.

Independent Commission for Infrastructure begins probe into flood control mess @gmanews @24OrasGMA pic.twitter.com/hm68tpi2NN

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) September 19, 2025

The commission is tasked with examining reported anomalies and mismanagement in the implementation of flood control projects across the country.

Members of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure headed by Ret. Supreme Court Assoc. Justice Andres Reyes, Jr. arrive ahead of its first hearing this morning @gmanews @24OrasGMA pic.twitter.com/CacM9SzJs0

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) September 19, 2025

Senate President Tito Sotto earlier confirmed that former Bulacan 1st district assistant engineer Brice Hernandez, who had been detained in the Senate after being cited in contempt during a Blue Ribbon committee hearing, was brought to the ICI. 

He said he signed an order allowing Hernandez to testify. He added the ICI issued subpoena duces tecum and subpoena testificandum for the former Department of Public Works and Highways engineer.

The two subpoenas, respectively, require Hernandez to appear before the commission, and to bring documents, records, or evidence to the proceedings.

Also among the witnesses is former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan. 

The creation of the ICI follows mounting public concern over the billions of pesos funneled into flood control projects that critics say failed to address perennial flooding in different parts of the country.

The commission is mandated to gather testimony, review documents, and recommend reforms or possible charges against erring officials.

The hearings are expected to continue in the coming weeks as the commission summons more witnesses and DPWH officials to account for the funds released for flood management initiatives.

On Thursday, Hernandez said that he and several other engineers at the DPWH divided the "profits" for ghost projects among themselves.

“Yung project[s] na ‘yun, meron po kaming sharing na pag kumita po… si Boss Henry po meron 40%, ako po may 20%, si engineer Jaypee meron po 20% at si engineer Paul Duya meron din pong 20%,” said Hernandez as the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee probe on anomalous flood projects resumed on Thursday.

(For these projects, we have a sharing once we get income… Boss Henry has 40%, I have 20%, engineer Jaypee gets 20% and engineer Paul Duya also gets 20%.)

Hernandez made the statement after he was granted legislative immunity by the Senate to share how ghost projects worked in their district.

“Yung sharing po kung magkano lahat, meron pong certain percentage kung magkano po naging kita. ‘Yun po yung hatian,” he added. —Sherylin Untalan/AOL, GMA Integrated News