Malacañang appeared to change its tone regarding the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) after Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the creation of a stronger Independent People’s Commission (IPC) could result in redundancy.
According to Castro, the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ) already have the mandate to conduct investigations, evaluate probable cause, and file cases before the Sandiganbayan or other courts.
She explained that the ICI was established as a fact-finding body tasked with gathering documents and endorsing results to the Ombudsman and DOJ, which is why it does not have contempt powers.
The Palace’s shift in tone came two days after presidential son and Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos, described by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) as among the “pork barrel kings,” appeared in an executive session at the ICC alongside presidential cousin Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 94 in September 2025, granting the ICI authority to investigate flood control and other infrastructure projects undertaken in the past ten years.
Meanwhile, the position of ICI commissioner remains vacant following the resignation of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson due to health and security reasons. The President has yet to announce his replacement. (ZIA LUNA)
