MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday indicated that the fate of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will depend on whether the panel still has substantial work to complete, as its investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects draws closer to its conclusion.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Mandaluyong City, Marcos said the commission has already examined nearly all of the issues within its mandate, with only a few matters left unresolved.
“Well, it depends on how much work they still have left. Kung matapos na ‘yung trabaho nila, we will see what they can do next. But they are really coming toward the end,” the President said.
Marcos noted that most of the alleged anomalies linked to flood control projects have already been investigated by the commission.
“Lahat ng kailangang imbestigahan, naimbestigahan na nila. Maybe there are one or two loose ends that they still have to clear up,” he added.
The President also said no final decision has been made on whether to appoint additional commissioners, stressing that this would be determined by the volume of remaining work.
“That’s something we haven’t really decided on yet. Again, it all depends on the work that the ICI still has in front of them,” Marcos said.
Once the commission completes its mandate, Marcos said its findings will be turned over to the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman, which will then take charge of pursuing any cases arising from the investigation.
“If they are still needed, then we will continue. But if the work is done and all the information has already been submitted to the DOJ and the Ombudsman, then the investigation will move forward through the DOJ and the Ombudsman,” he said.
The ICI was created through Executive Order No. 94, signed by Marcos on Sept. 11, to investigate alleged anomalies in flood control and related infrastructure projects over the past decade. Under the order, the commission is tasked with recommending the filing of appropriate cases before authorities, including the DOJ and the Office of the Ombudsman./PN
