Fajardo's resignation at ICI a 'natural flow of things' —Clavano

The Office of the Ombudsman on Saturday said the resignation of Rossana Fajardo as commissioner of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will not affect the constitutional body’s ongoing case build-up into the flood control corruption scandal.

“The Office of the Ombudsman sees this as the natural flow of things,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said in a statement.

On Friday, Fajardo announced her resignation from the ICI effective December 31, 2025.

Malacañang, for its part, said Fajardo’s role was “always meant to be temporary.”

“The ICI was established during the transition from one Ombudsman to another to ensure quick and reliable fact-finding and investigation,” Clavano said.

“Now, with a new Ombudsman ready to take on the task, the ICI was quick to relay their referrals for further fact-finding and/or preliminary investigation,” he said.

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

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

Clavano said that though “it has always been a concern for the ICI that they do not have immunity from suit - unlike the Ombudsman who is an impeachable officer.”

“Thus, the exposure is high especially for those who head the commission. In that context, it was quite noble for private individuals to even take on such a daunting task so significant in our country’s history,” the assistant Ombudsman said.

Clavano said the Office of the Ombudsman values the work of the ICI and put plenty of weight on their recommendations. 

“Whether this signals the end or a transition phase of the ICI, the Office of the Ombudsman will remain steady in its pursuit of credible and hard evidence, quality cases, and real accountability,” he said.

“It is only a matter of time before we see more cases filed in court - many upon the recommendation of the ICI,” he added.

ICI chairperson Reyes had said that the 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,” Reyes  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,” Reyes added. —KG, GMA Integrated News