Two major biz groups back probe body

Two of the country’s largest business organizations have expressed strong support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s creation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), describing it as a bold move to clean up public works and restore trust in government spending.

Meanwhile, BICOL Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon welcomed the appointment of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV & Co. country managing partner Rossana Fajardo as members of the ICI tasked to investigate anomalous flood control and related projects, as well as recommend the filing of appropriate charges arising from the irregularities.

In a related development, Senate President Vicente Sotto III eyes the immediate passage of Senate Bill 1215, which seeks to establish an Independent People’s Commission (IPC).

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Enunina Mangio said the upcoming panel, tasked with investigating anomalies in flood control and related projects over the past decade, demonstrates “a strong signal of the President’s political will to address infrastructure anomalies, especially in flood control.”

Mangio welcomed the appointment of industry veterans and independent experts to the ICI, citing Singson’s experience in large-scale project execution, former procurement board chairperson Rossana Fajardo’s institutional expertise in governance, and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s investigative background.

“Together, this balanced team combines operational, institutional, and investigative strengths that can translate findings into actionable reforms,” Mangio noted. 

She emphasized that the ICI’s success will depend on three key elements: adequate funding for a technical secretariat, full independence from political influence, and seamless inter-agency support. She said these measures are needed to ensure that referrals to the Department of Justice, the Ombudsman, and Civil Service Commission are acted upon within strict time frames.

The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) echoed PCCI’s support, with chairperson Beth Lee highlighting the ICI’s unique mix of technical and investigative expertise.

“The ICI’s rare blend of execution know-how, forensic financial skills, and investigative rigor is exactly the kind of institutional muscle FPI has been calling for. It operationalizes our vision of a procurement and infrastructure ecosystem where compliance is rewarded, corruption is punished, and Philippine industry competes on quality—not on who can game the system,” Lee said.

Lee noted that cleaning up procurement processes will dismantle entrenched networks that inflate costs and distort competition, reducing what FPI calls the “corruption premium” that burdens compliant manufacturers. Lower costs, she added, will help legitimate firms secure cheaper financing for capital upgrades and attract higher-quality contractors more likely to source from accredited local producers of steel, cement, and fabricated components.

“The ICI’s work will clean up a decade of flood control anomalies, restore trust in public works, and cut the corruption premium that drives up costs. That means cheaper financing, stronger investor confidence, and a manufacturing sector that wins on standards, integrity, and quality—now and for years to come,” Lee added.

Both PCCI and FPI underscored the broader economic benefits of a credible infrastructure watchdog, saying it could become a cornerstone institution to safeguard public funds and ensure infrastructure projects deliver real value to the Filipino people.

“First of all, we welcome the new two commissioners in the ICI since their competence has already been proven, particularly DPWH secretary Babes Singson,” he said.

“We respect the decision of the President to appoint Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong,” he added.

According to Ridon, chairman of the House Committee on Infrastructure, the ICI must look into the statements of Magalong not because of any conflict of interest, but because of his prejudicial statements against the members of the panel.

Meanwhile, Sotto said he will formally ask President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify the measure as urgent to ensure its speedy approval by Congress.

The bill aims to institutionalize the proposed commission created through a presidential executive order, making it a permanent law rather than a temporary directive.

“While the President’s Executive Order is immediate, my bill ensures permanence. The IPC will not just be a stop-gap measure, it will institutionalize oversight and prevent instances like this from happening again in the future,” he said. 

Sotto said the IPV would not only investigate projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways, but also those under other agencies with infrastructure programs.

Among the agencies cited were the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health, and the Department of Education.

Sotto said corruption extends beyond road and bridge construction, to include farm-to-market roads, hospitals, and schools.

“That’s why this bill is important because it protects taxpayers’ money and makes sure projects truly serve the people,” he said. 

He welcomed the filing of a similar measure in the House of Representatives, describing it as a positive step toward legislative approval, and urged lawmakers to recognize the importance of creating a permanent body to monitor government spending.

“It doesn’t matter which chamber moves first. Whether House or Senate, what’s important is that Congress acts fast so we can pass this into law without delay,” Sotto stressed.

Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Business groups back Marcos on infra watchdog appointees”