Palace refutes claim Marcos set up ICI to shield allies

Malacañang on Tuesday dismissed allegations that the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) was created to protect allies of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was responding to remarks by Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago, who claimed the ICI was meant to "create an illusion of accountability."

Castro said Elago should back up her allegations with evidence.

“Unang-una po, hingian natin siya ng ebidensiya patungkol dito. Hindi po ba siya ang nagbibintang, hindi po ba siya ang dapat na hingian natin ng ebidensiya?” Castro said.

(First of all, she should be asked to present evidence. Since she is making the accusation, she should be the one to provide proof.)

Castro said that even allies of the President are not shielded from accountability, citing the case of former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., an ally of Marcos, who was charged and complied with the court’s orders.

She pointed out that Revilla, who was part of the administration’s Alyansa slate, surrendered to authorities and respected the judicial process.

“Tandaan po natin… ang kasama ng Pangulo sa Alyansa ay ang dating Senador Bong Revilla. At siya po ay sumuko, iginalang ang proseso, ang warrant of arrest, at ang korte,” she said.

(Former Senator Bong Revilla, who was part of the Alyansa slate, surrendered, respected the process, the warrant of arrest, and the court.)

The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Monday issued a warrant of arrest and a hold departure order against Revilla and six others facing malversation charges over the P92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.

Revilla surrendered to authorities at Camp Crame on Monday night.

Meanwhile, Castro said the resignation of some commissioners does not affect the ICI’s mandate or ongoing work.

'Baseless'

Allies of Marcos at the House backed Castro’s position.

“Claims that anyone is being protected are baseless. No one—ally or otherwise—is beyond investigation if the evidence warrants it,” House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union said in a statement.

“The President’s statement [just] reflects the assessment submitted by the ICI based on the work accomplished. Completion is determined by findings and recommendations, not by arbitrary number-based benchmark. The proper forum now is the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice, both of which have the authority and mandate to act based on evidence,” Ortega added. 

House higher and technical education panel chairperson Jude Acidre, for his part, said accountability “must now rest with constitutionally mandated institutions” as ICI nears completion of its work.

“Claims that the administration is avoiding the truth are unfounded. The President has consistently maintained that accountability must be based on evidence, not speculation or political pressure,” Acidre said in a separate statement.

“All conclusions on the ICI were based on the work completed and the records already reviewed. The decision was grounded on findings, not percentages, and it does not preclude further action should new evidence surface,” Acidre added.

Acidre said the proper course is to allow the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice to carry out their respective mandates.

“At this point, it is important to let the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice do their work,” he said.

Nearing completion

Earlier, Marcos said the commission’s future would depend on its remaining tasks, noting that its work is nearing completion.

Marcos created the ICI through Executive Order No. 94 in September last year as a non-partisan fact-finding body tasked to investigate alleged irregularities in flood control and other infrastructure projects over the past 10 years.

The commission is chaired by former Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr.

Commissioner Rogelio “Babes” Singson resigned in December 2025 citing health and security concerns, while Commissioner Rossana Fajardo stepped down after completing the work she set out to accomplish.

Asked what would prompt the President to appoint new commissioners, Castro said it would be best to wait for the ICI’s report.—with reports from Llanesca T. Panti/ MCG, GMA Integrated News