Former Senate President Franklin Drilon has declared the Independent Commission for Infrastructure effectively a 'dead body,' stating it has ceased to function after key resignations. He attributes its collapse to a lack of manpower and executive support.
In Manila, Philippines, former Senate President Franklin Drilon has declared the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), established to probe flood control corruption, effectively nonexistent for practical purposes. With most members having resigned, only former justice Andres Reyes remains, rendering it unable to operate as a collegial board.
"It’s not only a lame duck, it has ceased to exist. It’s a dead body, it cannot function," Drilon said. He argued there is no need to debate its abolition, as it has already collapsed from a shortage of personnel and executive backing.
Drilon suggested the administration's refusal to appoint replacements signals a deliberate plan to dismantle the ICI through attrition. "So the intention is to really abolish the ICI because it doesn’t have a purpose anymore, because of the inaction of the President," he added.
Furthermore, he questioned the commission's value, noting its roles duplicate those of established bodies like the Office of the Ombudsman, Commission on Audit, and Department of Justice, which hold real prosecutorial authority. Resignations began last year, including the most recent by Rossana Fajardo, former public works secretary Rogelio Singson citing health reasons, and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong in September.
Last week, Sen. Imee Marcos stated the ICI would dissolve by February 1, though this has not been confirmed by the commission or Malacañang.
