The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will assess the latest testimonies made at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and the disclosures made by former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo regarding the flood control scandal allegedly involving top government officials, as well as private contractors.
“The commission is still carefully reviewing and studying what was divulged during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, as well as in the alleged video of former Congressman Zaldy Co, before weighing in on any action or statement,” said ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka in a statement.
Hosaka issued the statement after former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo reappeared in the Senate and detailed the alleged involvement of several public officials and lawmakers in the kickback schemes.
Among those mentioned by Bernardo were Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, and Francis Escudero, and former senators Nancy Binay, Ramon Revilla Jr., Grace Poe, and former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
Meanwhile, Co broke his silence via a video post on social media, claiming President Marcos was responsible for the controversial “insertions” in the 2025 national budget.
To recall, it was Mr. Marcos who had formed the ICI to probe anomalies related to the flood control and other state-funded infrastructure projects.
The ICI is the sixth government body to conduct parallel investigations into the flood infrastructure deals mess, following separate efforts by the Commission on Audit, the Ombudsman, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.
The President stated that the ICI will serve as an investigative arm and submit recommendations to the government on whether cases should be pursued before the Department of Justice or the Ombudsman.
