Palace says Marcos still confident with ICI

Malacañang said Wednesday the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) still enjoys the trust and confidence of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr.

At a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked if Marcos is still confident with the ICI even though he is urging the Congress to prioritize the passage of the proposed Independent People’s Commission (IPC) Act.

''Yes, still, wala pa naman po iyong batas eh.  At tiwala po ang Pangulo sa mga ginagawa po ng ICI,'' Castro said when asked if the President still trusts the independent body.

(Yes, and there's no law yet. And the President trusts the work of the ICI.)

''Yes,'' Castro said when asked if the President still trusts the independent body.

Two Senate bills proposing the creation of the IPC aim to establish a permanent, independent, and non-partisan commission that would investigate alleged anomalies and corruption in infrastructure projects at the national, local government unit (LGU), and government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC) levels. 

Castro mentioned the President wants to ensure that there is no duplication of work between the Ombudsman and the proposed IPC.

''Actually napag-usapan iyan kahapon at nagbigay ng opinion ang ating Pangulo na tignan lamang kung hindi magkakaroon ng duplication of work specially with the Ombudsman at huwag magamit na weapon, ma-weaponize ito sa pamumulitika at iyon ang tingin natin,'' she said.

(It was tackled yesterday and the President gave an opinion that there should be no duplication of work especially with the Ombudsman and they shouldn't be weaponized for political purposes.)

Marcos issued Executive Order 94 in September, which created the ICI as a non-partisan fact-finding body that would investigate irregularities in flood control projects and infrastructure projects in the last 10 years.

In November, the Office of the President approved a P41 million budget for 2025 for the ICI and 172 open positions for the independent body.

Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr. chairs the body. To recall, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong quit as its special adviser while former Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson also resigned as its commissioner.

Magalong was replaced by former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. as special adviser of the body.

It was Ombudsman Jesus Crispin ''Boying'' Remulla who said that the ICI may only have a month or two left before it ceases its probe and turns all their findings on alleged anomalous flood control projects to his office. 

Recently, the ICI submitted a referral against former senator Bong Revilla Jr. and others to the Office of the Ombudsman over anomalous flood control projects.

The ICI has also recommended to the Ombudsman to conduct further investigation on the alleged involvement of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, former senator Nancy Binay, former Senate finance chairperson Grace Poe, and Senator and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Mark Villar.

The ICI also recommended the filing of charges against former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co. 

Co, who is believed to be abroad, is already being pursued by authorities as corruption and malversation of public funds charges have been filed against him. — RSJ/ VAL, GMA Integrated News