De Lima: Fajardo exit can very well be the end of ICI

Opposition lawmakers on Friday claimed that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is already at its "end" following the resignation of Commissioner Rossana Fajardo.

House Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima of ML party-list, Makabayan bloc legislators Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers party-list, Sarah Elago of Gabriela party-list and Renee Co of Kabataan party-list, and Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña made the position given that Fajardo’s resignation only left the ICI with two members since its inception three months ago: ICI chairperson Andres Reyes and Special Adviser Rodolfo Azurin.

“This can very well be the end of ICI. Dapat kasi meron nang ICAIC by now,” De Lima, a former Justice chief, said in reference to the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC).

Cendaña, for his part, said ICI was marred with more resignations than achievements.

“Ba't imbis na ulo ng mga korap, puro resignations ang binibigay sa atin ng ICI? Two out of three down, Bibingo na ang ICI,” Cendaña said.

(Instead of targeting those who are corrupt, all ICI gave us are resignations; it is about to hit bingo.)“The fact that both Commissioner Fajardo and [former Public Works] Secretary Babes Singson resigned while supporting the ICAIC bill is testament to a commission flawed at its core,” Cendaña added.

In resigning, Singson pointed out not only the ICI’s lack of authority but also lack of resources.

But for the House infrastructure panel co-chairperson Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro party-list, replacing Singson and Fajardo is the most urgent task at hand.

"We call on the President to appoint replacements for Ms. Fajardo and former Commissioner Singson at the soonest possible time to ensure that the work of the ICI continues uninterrupted in the new year,” Ridon added.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. formed ICI to investigate anomalous government flood control projects.

Opposition lawmakers, however, have been pushing for the creation of the ICAIC as provided by a law since the ICI does not have contempt powers in the event  a resource person in an inquiry refuses to cooperate.

“The ICI is a lost cause. Its members have resigned, it has no real transparency, and its credibility is always in question,” Makabayan said.

'Natural point'

In a statement, ICI chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. said Fajardo's resignation “comes at a natural point in the Commission's work.”

He noted that the Commission was created with a “clear, time-bound mandate” to gather evidence, establish facts, and propose corrective measures.

With this, Reyes said ICI will now focus on finalizing referrals that will be forwarded to the Office of the Ombudsman.

“To ensure the fulfillment of its mandate, the Commission will now focus on finalizing the  remaining items that will be submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman in order to strengthen and  add to the growing number of cases that will eventually be filed with the courts, and hold those  involved accountable,” he said.

“The Commission remains fully committed to submitting all its final recommendations and  ensuring that the appropriate institutions — particularly the Ombudsman — have everything they  need to bring these cases forward,” he added. 

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro and Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez, meanwhile, thanked Fajardo for her "crucial" role in the ICI. 

“Kinilala ng administrasyon ang napakahalagang papel na ginampanan ni ICI Commissioner Rosanna Fajardo para makalikom, maaral at ma-assess ng mahahalagang ebidensya upang mapanagot ang mga sangkot sa maanomalyang flood control projects. She has already accomplished her tasks based on her mandate,” Castro said.

(The administration recognizes the vital role of Commissioner Fajardo to be able to gather evidence against those involved in the flood control projects.)

Gomez, for his part, said that Fajardo has completed the specific task she was asked to perform.

“Ms. Fajardo was brought in for a clear financial forensic purpose- to closely review the money linked to the projects under investigation and help trace where public funds went. That work is now finished,” Gomez said. —VAL/AOL, GMA Integrated News