ICI to end operations on March 31 after six months

After six months of operations, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) announced it will end on March 31, 2026, while turning over its evidence to the Office of the Ombudsman. Chairman Andres Reyes recommended winding down, stating the commission has fulfilled its mandate by establishing a framework for investigating infrastructure corruption. Though focused on flood control projects, reports indicate broader work remains unfinished.

On March 13, 2026, the ICI turned over all documents, evidence, and findings to the Office of the Ombudsman, including its investigative methodology to ensure a seamless transition. According to Reyes, the commission functioned as a three-member body for only 90 days due to the resignations of commissioners Rossana Fajardo and Rogelio 'Babes' Singson, a former public works secretary. Singson cited health reasons for leaving, while Fajardo said the commission had done what it could.

During its operations, the ICI made nine referrals covering 65 individuals involved in the massive flood control scheme. It also developed three information systems to detect fraud and provided guidance to the Technical Working Group for Asset Recovery to continue restitution efforts. Reyes stated, 'Within this brief period, the Commission 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 was created under an executive order by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in September 2025 in response to the flood control corruption scandal, which involved suspicions of billions of pesos stolen from public funds. In February, it submitted a 125-day accomplishment report to Marcos. However, it faced criticisms for lacking power, resources, independence, and transparency, including from Singson. Although mandated to investigate a decade of corruption across all public infrastructure, most complaints filed by the ICI covered only flood control projects, according to a Rappler review.

On March 11, Marcos said the ICI had completed much of its work and would send information to the DOJ or Ombudsman as appropriate. Pending bills in Congress seek to establish the Independent Peoples’ Commission and the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption, with similar mandates. Per the executive order, the ICI ceases to exist once its mandate is fulfilled.

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Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon issued Department Order 74 on June 10, granting regional directors and district engineers authority to approve infrastructure fund disbursements despite recommendations from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to reduce such powers.

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Following his announcement earlier this week, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson delivered a chairman’s progress report on the Senate blue ribbon committee’s flood control probe on May 5, 2026, despite failing to secure enough votes for formal filing. He cited the public’s urgent demand for transparency on the flood control scandal, with only seven senators signing the report.

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