Former Public Works Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson yesterday urged Congress to give the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) the legal and logistical backing needed to pursue its probe into the flood control anomalies, even as he encouraged lawmakers to pursue their own investigations.
He issued the plea while insisting that his resignation as commissioner of the fact-finding body did not arise from any misgivings with the appointing authorities, but rather, out of genuine concern for the toll the job is taking on his aging body.
Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Palace acknowledges Singson’s decision, noting that the ICI’s work is “not easy,” with daily meetings, hearings and extensive documentation.
“ICI’s job is really no joke,” Castro said in an interview with DZMM. “They have meetings almost every day and hold hearings, with piles upon piles of documents that they need to read,” she added.
The Palace official said the President has yet to act on Singson’s resignation and no replacement has been identified.
“We cannot rely on just one entity like ICI to solve the problem. It cannot be only one institution. We need several entities to help out, especially Congress,” Singson said.
“We have done our part… So we’re saying it’s your turn, guys. I am appealing to members of Congress… Please pass the Independent People’s Commission at the Senate level and the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption, which is the version in the Lower House,” he added.
As for the ICI’s funding, Singson noted that some ICI staff members have not been paid since the body was established in September.
“We were asked to go to war without the necessary ammunition,” he said.
Meanwhile, Singson assured that he has been completely transparent about his motives for resigning, notwithstanding scuttlebutt regarding his motives.
“Because of the stress, my 77-year-old body cannot take it anymore. That’s the other half of the situation. I’ve been in and out of the hospital. I just came for a medical workout this early, so you know that when you do a medical workout, you’re on a diet for 10 hours, you wake up early, and you have blood extraction,” he explained.
“Please try to understand that it’s not that I don’t want to serve. It is just that my body and also the stress on my family. We are not used to this. Every stress, including heavy security for the family’s safety. We hope, I hope, and I wish that people will understand the reason for my resignation. I feel that I’ve done what I have to do for ICI,” the commissioner stressed.
While his irrevocable resignation takes effect on December 15, Singson said he will make his services available to ICI Chairman Andy Reyes until the end of the current month.
Castro rejected speculation that Singson’s exit compromises the credibility of the ICI, saying “there’s still good” in the commission.
She said some criticisms may be driven by groups that want to erode public trust in the body.
The PCO undersecretary also addressed concerns over the departure of two high-profile ICI members, Singson and former Baguio Mayor Benjie Magalong, who resigned earlier due to conflict-of-interest issues stemming from his role as a sitting mayor.
“The commission will remain solid,” Castro said, adding that the ICI’s mandate and integrity remain intact.
As this developed, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said that while Singson is exiting the ICI, he will still lend his expertise to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as it moves to implement the long-delayed flood control master plan he initiated during his tenure.
“He wants to devote his expertise to helping the DPWH implement projects correctly… especially now that he has provided his expertise to ICI. Many cases have also been filed,” the incumbent secretary said in Filipino.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Singson on ICI work: ‘My body can’t take it anymore’”
