ICI to remain operational until March 31
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which was formed to investigate irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years, is winding down and will remain operational only until the end of the month.
In a statement released on Friday, March 13, ICI chairperson Andres Reyes said that the Commission has “turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman all documents, evidence, and findings gathered in the course of its investigation,” which will then be submitted to the Department of Justice and the Department of Public Works and Highways “for their records, review, and guidance.”
According to Reyes, within the six months it’s been in operation, the ICI “has established the investigative framework and methodology that can now be adopted and replicated by statutory prosecutorial agencies in examining the full universe of anomalous infrastructure projects.”
“The ICI has submitted 9 referrals covering 65 individuals to the OMB and has convened 20 agencies in the Technical Working Group for Asset Recovery. It has also initiated the development of 3 information systems designed to detect fraud and other irregularities in infrastructure projects,” he pointed out.
“While these represent only the initial phase of a much broader investigative and restitution effort, these accomplishments demonstrate that, with strong inter-agency coordination, proper investigations can be conducted which could ultimately lead to the successful prosecution of those responsible and the recovery of stolen public funds,” he added.
Since such frameworks and systems have been up, Reyes said he believes that the ICI “has fulfilled its mandate” under Executive Order No. 94, and that the work it has initiated “is now properly situated to be carried forward by the agencies established by law.”
“Thus, I hereby recommend that the ICI wind down its operations," he said. "The Commission will remain operational until March 31, 2026 to complete the necessary administrative processes related to its wind-down.”
“I likewise urge government institutions involved in the implementation and oversight of infrastructure projects to act on the Commission’s recommendations for their respective offices to improve transparency, strengthen controls, enhance coordination, reinforce accountability, and prevent the recurrence of infrastructure-related irregularities,” added Reyes.
The ICI chair thanked the government agencies that helped the Commission with its probe. “As the investigation continues through the coordinated efforts of our government agencies, may we remain vigilant and steadfast in ensuring that those responsible are held accountable and brought to justice,” he said.
“May we always remember that crime does not, and should never, pay. No one is, and should ever be, above the law,” he concluded.
Formation of ICI
Hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate on flood control projects revealed billions of pesos lost to corruption, which prompted the formation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure in September.
The ICI is tasked to recommend the filing of appropriate charges and recommend to the appropriate government bodies the enforcement of remedies, corrective actions, or legislative measures in connection with irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years.
The fact-finding body is receiving assistance from the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation, the National Prosecution Service, the DPWH, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police, and offices in the national government's executive branch "to accomplish its mandates."
It also has the power to conduct hearings, take testimony, and receive, gather, review, and evaluate evidence, issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, recommend to the DOJ the admission of a person as a state witness, and obtain information and documents from the Senate and the House of Representatives.
