Palace to ICI: Talk directly to Marcos about your fate

It would be better if the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) would talk directly to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. about its fate in probing anomalous flood control projects.

This was the response of Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro when asked about the ICI’s fate, as she noted that Marcos does not want to meddle with its work as an independent body.

“Mas maganda po siguro kung makikipag-usap silang diretso sa Pangulo kasi po ngayon po ayaw po talagang makialam ng Pangulo sa ginagawa ng ICI kasi independent body po sila. Kung anuman po ang kanilang suhestiyon maaari po nila itong ibigay sa Pangulo,” Castro said.

(It would be better if they directly talk to the President because right now, the President doesn’t want to interfere with the activities and work of the ICI since it is an independent body. Whatever their suggestion is, they can give it to the President.)

“Sa ngayon kasalukuyan ay wala pa po tayong nalalaman kung nakapagbigay na sila ng report,” she added. 

(At present, we don’t have any information yet if they already submitted a report.)

She said Marcos defers the ICI’s “destiny” to the body itself.

“Pero kung ano po ang magiging destiny ng ICI, kung ano ang magiging susunod na mga galaw nila, iyan po ay ipinauubaya ng Pangulo sa ICI bilang independent commission,” she said.

(As to the ICI’s destiny, the President leaves that to the body itself as an independent commission.) 

Earlier, ICI Special Adviser and retired police general Rodolfo Azurin said it is up to the President if he will extend or terminate the ICI’s mandate of investigating alleged anomalies in government infrastructure projects in the last 10 years.

Marcos created the ICI in September last year following public outcry over the multi-million corruption of flood control projects in the country. 

On January 16, Marcos said the work of the ICI is about to be finished and that it already investigated what needs to be probed in the flood control mess.

At present, the ICI has one commissioner – its chair, retired Justice Andres Reyes Jr.

Former ICI commissioner Rogelio “Babes” Singson resigned for health and security reasons in December 2025, while ex-ICI Commissioner Rossana Fajardo said she quit as she already completed the work she set out to accomplish.

Castro added that if the ICI wants to have new commissioners to help perform its duties, they should inform the President about their request.

She said Marcos continues to support the independent body.

“Kung ang desisyon po nila ay gusto nila na magkaroon ng panibagong miyembro ay sabihin lamang po nila sa Pangulo, hingin po nila ang mga kailangan na maitulong ng administrasyon para magpatuloy sila sa kanilang mandato,” she said.

(Whatever their decision is, if they want additional members, they just need to inform the President, ask for help so that they can continue their mandate.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News