Malacañang yesterday assured that the work of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will proceed even after two commissioners stepped down last month.
Presidential Communications Office Claire Castro said reports that the ICI’s investigation would cease by February are inaccurate, noting that the commission’s mandate remains in force despite the resignations of commissioners, former DPWH chief Rogelio Singson and Rossana Fajardo.
“Let them not think the investigation will no longer proceed; there will be no slowing down. The enthusiasm to hold accountable those who should be held accountable remains,” Castro said.
She said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. initiated the inquiry into suspected anomalies and remains determined to see the process through to completion.
Castro pointed out that the review of several questionable infrastructure projects is progressing on several tracks.
Aside from the ICI, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice continue to conduct their own probes, she noted.
The Palace is also awaiting congressional action on a measure that would formally establish an independent commission to examine large-scale infrastructure issues.
Concerns had been raised that the departure of several ICI members would halt the ongoing investigation into the “ghost” flood control projects.
Castro, however, assured those fears are misplaced, emphasizing that accountability efforts remain underway.
Last month, Commissioners Fajardo and Singson resigned two weeks apart.
In September, Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong also resigned as a special adviser to the Commission.
With his colleagues’ resignation, ICI Chairman Andres Reyes Jr. said the probe body’s focus has shifted to completing the already advanced investigation into multibillion-peso flood control projects.
