MANILA — Malacañang dismissed reports of an imminent dissolution of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, saying the body remains operational and continues to investigate alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said there is no directive to dismantle the commission, stressing that its work is ongoing and uninterrupted.
“Wala pang update sa atin kung idi-dissolve ang ICI dahil patuloy ang pag-iimbestiga at trabaho naman nila ay tuloy-tuloy,” Castro said in a television interview.
Castro challenged those claiming that the commission is about to be disbanded to present evidence to support their assertions.
“Kung sino ang nag-aakusa, kung mayroon naman silang tamang facts o data, i-prove niya ito sa media,” she added.
She said the ICI was created as a fact-finding mechanism to assist the Office of the Ombudsman and other investigative agencies in examining alleged infrastructure anomalies, particularly flood control projects.
According to Castro, the commission’s work has helped streamline investigations by consolidating documents, testimonies, and witness statements.
“Mas gumaan ang trabaho kasi mas naiipon ang mga dokumento, mga testimony, mga witnesses. Yun ang nagpapagaan,” she said.
She added that cases vetted by the commission are easier for prosecutorial agencies, including the Department of Justice, to act on.
“Once makita ito at na-vet na ito sa ICI na naimbestigahan, mas madali na on the part ng Ombudsman and DOJ na magkaroon ng resolution,” Castro said.
The clarification comes amid renewed speculation following earlier remarks by Jesus Crispin Remulla, who said in December that the commission was nearing the end of its work and could operate only until February.
Earlier this week, Sen. Imee Marcos said she had been informed that the commission would be formally dissolved on February 1—just over four months after it was established by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through an executive order.
In response, ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka said the executive order contains a “sunset clause” but clarified that the commission will remain in existence until it has fully completed its mandate or achieved its stated objectives./PN
