President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named former Public Works Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson and veteran accountant Rossana Fajardo as members of the newly formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), tasked with investigating flood control and other infrastructure projects spanning the past decade.
Malacañang clarified that Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong will serve as a special adviser—rather than a formal member—of the fact-finding body. The President is expected to announce the commission’s chairperson “in the coming days,” according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
Castro said the commission will begin its work immediately, following the signing of Executive Order No. 94 on September 11. The EO mandates that ICI members must possess “proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.”
Singson, who led the Department of Public Works and Highways under the Aquino administration, was credited for initiating reforms that promoted transparency and eliminated ghost projects. His experience in planning and executing major infrastructure projects is expected to be central to the commission’s mandate.
Fajardo, currently the managing partner of SGV & Co., brings over 30 years of expertise in auditing, risk management, and financial systems. She has worked across both public and private sectors to detect fraud and strengthen institutional accountability.
Despite earlier statements that no politicians would be part of the commission, Magalong’s inclusion was clarified as advisory. Castro emphasized his background in law enforcement, including his role in investigating the 2015 Mamasapano incident and his leadership in the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
As Baguio mayor, Magalong has been outspoken about irregularities in flood control projects. In August, he submitted a report to the President detailing alleged anomalies in infrastructure spending in Baguio and Benguet. Castro said Magalong is free to submit findings from his own investigations to the ICI. (ZIA LUNA)
